Iloilo police nab high-value target in drug bust

Police in Iloilo City arrested a high-value individual in a buy-bust operation that yielded 55 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 374,000 in Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, before dawn on August 19.

The suspect was identified only by his alias “Balbal,” 31 years old, and a resident of Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Operatives of Iloilo City Police Station 10 (ICPS10) carried out the operation at around 12:20 a.m.

Authorities said they seized three plastic sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money, and several non-drug items from the suspect.

The confiscated drugs have an estimated standard drug price based on Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) valuation of PHP 374,000.

Police said the suspect is now under the custody of ICPS10 pending the filing of appropriate charges.

The arrest forms part of intensified anti-drug operations under the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), which has been targeting high-value individuals to disrupt illegal drug networks in Western Visayas.

Drug-related cases remain among the top concerns in Iloilo City, with police and PDEA reporting regular operations against street-level pushers and identified drug personalities.