Four arrested in Pavia drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Four individuals were apprehended during a police anti-narcotics operation at a suspected drug den in Pavia, Iloilo evening of June 13.

The suspects, identified as Patrick Himalla Andres, 40; Vhemboy Jontarciego Huele, 26; and brothers Joel Tanula Tanaman, 34, and Jessie Tanula Tanaman, are residents of Barangay Purok 4, Pavia. They were tagged as “street-level drug pushers.”

The Pavia Municipal Police Station, in collaboration with SBC Carles/EB Magalona, the 4th SOU, and the PNP Maritime Group, arrested the suspects after they were allegedly caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 3,300.

Police confiscated seven sachets of suspected shabu and various non-drug items.

Major Dadje Delima, Pavia’s police chief, said the seized drugs weighed approximately 38 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 258,400.

Delima noted that the suspects were also found participating in a pot session at the scene.

The house used for the operation was previously utilized by Joel and Jessie’s older brother, who was arrested for a drug-related offense in 2023.

Despite the successful arrests, Delima revealed that none of the four suspects were the primary targets of the operation.

The unidentified main target, who was occupying the house at the time, evaded arrest and remains unidentified.

Among the four arrested, only Huele had a prior drug-related offense and was released from incarceration in February 2024 after availing of a plea bargaining agreement.

The suspects are currently detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.