Ex-convict, minor caught in PHP 1.36-M drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An ex-convict and his 17-year-old goddaughter were arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation on Sept. 2 in Molo, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspects only as alias Steve, 42, of Zone 3, Barangay Rizal Estanzuela, City Proper, and alias Inday, of Zone 2, Barangay Rizal Estanzuela, City Proper.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, with personnel from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, Iloilo City Police Station 4, Iloilo City Police Office, and Regional Intelligence Division, conducted the buy-bust operation at the house of Inday’s live-in partner in Zone 6, Barangay Boulevard, Molo.

Police said they seized three plastic sachets from Steve and six sachets of suspected shabu from Inday.

Also recovered were PHP 620 cash, a belt bag, and several non-drug items.

Captain Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 team leader, said the confiscated shabu weighed about 200 grams, with a total standard drug price of PHP 1.36 million.

Soliman said Steve was the target of the operation but stressed that Inday was not an innocent party in the drug trade.

“In fact, she’s also active in the drug pushing operation,” he said.

Records showed Steve was arrested in a buy-bust operation in 2022 but was released through a plea bargaining agreement in 2023.