Kagawad nabbed in P346,000 drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A village councilman has been added to the list of drug personalities arrested in Iloilo. Barangay Kagawad Oriel Navarro, 41, of Barangay Poblacion, Concepcion, Iloilo, was apprehended during a police anti-narcotics operation on the morning of February 23.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU), in collaboration with the Concepcion Municipal Police Station and the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, arrested Navarro after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P3,500.

Recovered from Navarro were nine additional sachets of suspected shabu, his Kawasaki Bajaj 100 motorcycle, and several non-drug related items. Major Rolando Araño, IPPO spokesperson, reported that the seized drugs weighed approximately 51 grams with an estimated value of P346,800.

Navarro, serving his second term as kagawad, denied ownership of the shabu allegedly found in his possession. However, he did admit to using illegal drugs.

Araño indicated that the suspect allegedly sourced his supply from Estancia town and used Concepcion as his distribution area.

Navarro is currently detained and is set to be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).