Jailed drug suspect served with arrest warrant for carnapping

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An inmate who is behind bars for an illegal drug case was “arrested” anew.

This time around, Niel Losaria, 24, a resident of Barangay Tubungan, Lambunao, Iloilo was served with an arrest warrant for a carnapping case.

Losaria is detained at the Iloilo District Jail in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, following his arrest for an illegal drug case in March 2021.

Members of the Iloilo Provincial Highway Patrol Team and Cabatuan Police Station served the latest arrest warrant against Losaria for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 10883 (New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016) docketed as Criminal Case No. 21-1117.

Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 76 Judge Redentor Eugenio Esperanza issued the arrest warrant on Oct. 25, 2021.

A P300,000 bail was recommended for Losaria’s temporary freedom.

Losaria, an alleged member of the Lego-Lebuna Robbery Group, was arrested during a buy-bust operation on March 25, 2021 at Barangay Batuan, Pototan town.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) teams 1 and 2 and Pototan Police Station collared Losaria after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P6,000.

When later frisked, the suspect yielded 13 sachets of suspected shabu and the fake money bills used in the buy-bust.

Police also seized from Losaria a sling bag containing a coin purse, P340 cash, and a caliber .38 revolver loaded with four ammunitions.

A year ago before his arrest, Losaria allegedly strayed from the robbery group and diverted to the illegal drug trade.