Five arrested in Estancia drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Five suspects were arrested in an anti-narcotics operation early June 21 in Estancia, Iloilo, where police seized suspected shabu valued at PHP 2,475,200.

Reports said the suspects may have been holding a pot session when police carried out the operation at the house of a man identified only as Pirot, 43, of Clement Street, Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia.

Lt. Adrian Baligod, Estancia police chief, identified the other suspects only as Jo, 52, a laborer from Poblacion Zone 1, Estancia; Ry, 38, of Purok 4, Barangay Tacbuyan, Estancia; Deo, 36, of Clement Street, Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia; and Bert, 26, a driver from Purok 3, Barangay Bulaqueña, Estancia.

Baligod said all five suspects are classified as street-level drug pushers.

Police seized around 364 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of PHP 2,475,200 during the operation.

The operation stemmed from information from concerned citizens about Pirot’s alleged illegal drug activities.

After weeks of validation and monitoring, operatives confirmed reports that the suspects were allegedly distributing illegal drugs in Estancia.

Baligod said Pirot sourced his supply from another drug personality based in Estancia.

Police said all five suspects had no previous drug-related arrests.

The suspects are in the custody of the Estancia Municipal Police Station and will face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.