Five persons nabbed in four drug stings in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Five persons were arrested in a series of anti-narcotics operations in Iloilo province in a span of 16 hours.

Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, said the series of anti-illegal drugs operations is their answer to drug personalities who thought they could continue with their trade now that the province’s quarantine status has been eased up.

Lucas earlier ordered the intensified operation against personalities who resumed their illegal drugs business.

The latest reported arrest happened around 10:05 am of July 14, 2020 at Barangay Cabugao Norte, Santa Barbara.

Suspect John Mark Diaz, 22, a resident of Cabugao Norte village, Pavia town allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P1,000.

Members of Sta. Barbara Police Station and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, collared Diaz and seized four plastic sachets of suspected shabu from his possession.

At 6:50 a.m. of the same day, members of Estancia Police Station arrested Rodney Abajeto, 27, of Barangay Tacbuyan, Estancia town.

The suspect yielded six sachets of suspected shabu with a street value of P10,000, and the P500 marked money.

Six hours before that, the Barotac Nuevo police, PDEA, and PDEU arrested Rochlem Anthony Gonzales, 21, and Rowen Fiscal, 19, at Barangay Ilaud Poblacion, Barotac Nuevo.

Both suspects are residents of Barangay Rumbang, Pototan.

At 6:30 pm of July 13, Pavia Police Station and PDEU arrested Cris Jandro Agusti, 32, at his place in Barangay Pagsanga-an, Pavia.

Agusti yielded 3 sachets of suspected shabu and P2,000 buy bust money

The suspects would be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Meanwhile, Lucas said more anti-illegal drugs operations would be launched, as they also run against other forms of illegal activities.