Ex-seaman, 4 others nabbed in PHP 4.4M drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Five individuals, including two women, were arrested in a police anti-drug operation on the evening of Sept. 6 in Sara, Iloilo.

The primary target, a 37-year-old former seaman known by the alias Chris, was apprehended in Barangay Padios, along with four alleged cohorts.

Police identified the others as alias Anthony, 57, of Barangay Bolaqueña in Estancia; alias Dexter, 44, of Barangay Poblacion in Carles; alias Bianca, 21, of Barangay Dayhagan in Carles; and alias Conny, 50, of Bancal in Lemery.

Authorities said Chris was the central figure in the group, with Anthony and Dexter reportedly acting as his bodyguards and drug couriers.

Bianca was identified as Chris’ girlfriend, while Conny allegedly handled the group’s transaction records.

The operation was carried out by members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) Team 3, in coordination with Team 2, the IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, the Regional Intelligence Division, the Sara Municipal Police Station, and the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Police said the buy-bust took place at around 7:57 p.m. and involved the sale of a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 15,000.

Authorities recovered four knot-tied plastic bags and two sachets of suspected shabu, along with various drug paraphernalia and a firearm from Dexter’s possession.

IPPO-PDEU chief Maj. Dadje Delima said the confiscated drugs weighed around 650 grams, with a total standard drug price of PHP 4.42 million.

Delima said Chris had been on the IPPO-PDEU drug watchlist since last year.

He added that Anthony and Dexter regularly handled drug deliveries on Chris’ behalf.

Chris reportedly avoided direct drug transactions and would often assign others to complete the deals.

Police intelligence indicated that the suspects sourced their supply from Metro Manila and distributed it across parts of northern and central Iloilo, as well as areas in Capiz province.

Delima confirmed that none of the suspects had previous arrests related to illegal drugs.

All five are currently detained at the Sara Municipal Police Station.

They will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Dexter will also face an additional charge for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.