Ex-convict nabbed with PHP 6M shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A convicted drug pusher was arrested again in a police anti-narcotics operation early morning on Dec. 20 in Pototan, Iloilo.

The suspect, identified only as alias Potik, 40, a cock farm caretaker and resident of Barangay Nanga, Pototan, was arrested at his workplace in Barangay Bongco, Pototan.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit arrested Potik after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 13,000 during a buy-bust operation.

During a subsequent frisk, police operatives seized four additional plastic packs of suspected shabu.

IPPO-PDEU chief Maj. Dadje Delima said the confiscated drugs weighed about 900 grams and had an estimated street value of PHP 6,120,000.

Police conducted surveillance for six months before finally arresting the suspect.

Delima said authorities had difficulty setting up a transaction because Potik did not deal directly with street-level pushers or users.

He allegedly received orders through his boss, identified only as Platoon, a reportedly newly released drug personality.

As a “bodegero,” Potik was tasked with delivering drug supplies to distributors, Delima said.

Potik was previously arrested for a drug-related offense in 2022 and was released a year later after availing himself of a plea bargaining agreement.

Authorities believe he established a connection with Platoon while in jail.

Delima clarified that Potik was not working with alias Kejie, also a resident of Barangay Nanga, Pototan, who was arrested on Dec. 9 in Barangay Balabag, Pavia.

Kejie was seized with suspected shabu worth PHP 2.108 million.

However, “they moved within the same circle,” Delima said.

Potik was instead believed to have had a working relationship with alias JenJen, a female ex-convict arrested on Dec. 6 in Dumangas, Iloilo.

JenJen, 39, of Barangay Lagubang, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, was seized with 505 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 3,434,000.

Her husband is also a detained drug personality.

With his arrest, Potik is back behind bars and will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.