IPPO Seizes ₱1.6M Worth of ‘Shabu’ in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than ₱1.6 million worth of shabu was seized in three separate anti-narcotics operations in Iloilo province on October 8.

The operations led to the arrest of eight suspects, including a woman and a minor.

Myla, 36, of Barangay Balanti-an, Balasan town, and Jan, of Barangay Bayuyan, Estancia, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Balanti-an village at around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Members of the Balasan Municipal Police Station arrested the suspects for selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth ₱8,500.

They were also found with 10 more sachets of suspected shabu.

The seized drugs weighed around 104 grams, with a standard drug price of ₱707,200.

Seven hours later, the same team arrested Conrado Malata, 38, also of Barangay Balanti-an, Balasan, and Jonathan Davas, 37, of Barangay Maya, Balasan.

Malata and Davas were caught in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Camambugan, Balasan.

They were found with around 72 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱494,360.

Meanwhile, four other suspects were arrested at 9:42 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion East, Oton town.

Those apprehended were Gino, 37; Alvin, 26; Beyj, 38—all residents of Barangay Poblacion East, Oton—and Mark, 38, of Barangay Sta. Monica, Oton.

Gino is considered a high-value drug personality, while the three others are categorized as street-level pushers.

Members of the Oton Police recovered 60 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of ₱408,000 from the suspects.

All eight drug personalities are now detained and will be charged with violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.