Ex-seaman, cohort nabbed in PHP 1.8 million drug sting

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

A former seafarer and his cohort were arrested in another anti-illegal drugs operation early in the evening of April 14 in Sara, Iloilo.

The suspects were identified only as alias Jef, 44, of Barangay Dogman, San Dionisio, Iloilo, and alias Riven, 44, of Barangay Aldeguer, Sara.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit arrested the suspects in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Devera, Sara.

Maj. Dadje Delima, chief of the IPPO-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, said police confiscated about 270 grams of suspected shabu from the suspects with an estimated standard drug price of PHP 1,836,000.

Jef, the main target of the operation, was listed as a high-value individual, while Riven was considered a street-level pusher.

Police said the suspects were arrested following persistent reports from residents about their alleged illegal drug activities.

After a month of validation and monitoring, police operatives said they confirmed the reports.

Authorities said the suspects allegedly sourced the drugs from Roxas City and distributed them in Sara.

Jef and Riven are now detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.