Four arrested in P1.2M drug bust in Iloilo City

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 58-year-old man and his 32-year-old daughter were among the four individuals apprehended during a significant police anti-narcotics operation on the afternoon of February 22 in the City Proper district, Iloilo City.

The suspects were identified by the police as Leo Antiquera and his daughter Aikriz, Kurt Diaday, 26, and Ryan Porquez, 42. They all reside in Barangay Sto Rosario, City Proper, Iloilo City.

The Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), along with the Iloilo City Police Station 1, Regional Maritime Unit (RMU) 6, the PNP Highway Patrol Group, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, executed the sting operation against the suspects.

Leo Antiquera and Diaday were allegedly involved in the sale of a sachet of suspected shabu worth P16,000. During the transaction between the peddlers and an undercover police officer, Porquez and Aikriz were caught using drugs.

Authorities confiscated two sachets and three knot-tied plastic sachets of suspected shabu, an improvised tooter, a weighing scale, and several other non-drug-related items from the suspects.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez, Jr., chief of the ICPO-CDEU, stated that the drugs seized amounted to approximately 180 grams of suspected shabu, valued at a standard price of P1,224,000.

Benitez noted that Leo had a prior drug-related arrest. The police are currently investigating whether the other suspects have any previous criminal records. It was reported that Porquez attempted to flee but was subsequently apprehended.

It has been gathered that customers seeking to purchase shabu would often visit the suspects’ residence directly.

The suspects are now in custody and face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).