Five nabbed in P120-K drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Five persons were arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation evening of Feb 13, 2022 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The suspects were identified as Rodney Tabangcura alias “Blue,” 29, of Barangay Balud Dumangas, Iloilo; Jhoemher Gallo, 24, of Barangay Simon Ledesma, Jaro, Iloilo City; Vashno Bautista, 23, of Washington St., Barangay Benidicto, Jaro; Bojie Mendoza, 34, of Barangay Cubay, Jaro; and Jessie Lariosa, 33, of Barangay Rizal Estanzuela, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), together with Iloilo City Police Station 5, conducted the operation 9 p.m. Sunday at the rented house of Tabangcura at Austery Subdivision in Barangay Pali Benedicto.

Tabangcura, the subject of the operation, was considered a street level individual (SLI) drug personality.

Lieutenant Colonel Albert Sy, ICPO-CDEU chief, said the suspects were arrested after they allegedly connived in selling five sachets of suspected shabu for P8,000 to an undercover cop.

It appeared that the suspects were also into a pot session when the police operation was conducted.

Police seized 12 sachets of suspected shabu, the marked money, and several non-drug items.

Sy said that they do not have records if Tabangcura had prior arrests since he was a resident of Iloilo province.

He apparently used the four other suspects in his illegal drug trade. They also sourced their illegal drugs from a supplier outside of Iloilo City, police reports indicated.

The suspects are now detained and will be charged for violation of Sections 5, 11, 12, and 26, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).