Live-in couple nabbed in PHP 816,000 Iloilo drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — A live-in couple was arrested during an anti-illegal drug operation on the evening of Sept. 3 in the City Proper district of Iloilo City.

Alias Noli, 45, and alias Jen, 44, were arrested at their home in Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper, following a buy-bust operation.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, together with Iloilo City Police Station 7, the Regional Intelligence Division, and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit 6, conducted the operation after a month of surveillance.

The couple was apprehended after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000.

Following the arrest, police frisked Noli and seized eight more sachets of suspected shabu.

Police Capt. Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 deputy chief, said the seized drugs weighed about 120 grams and had a standard drug price of PHP 816,000.

Soliman said Noli and Jen had no previous drug-related arrests.

Barangay officials had previously warned Noli about his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

This prompted the couple to leave the area and rent a house in Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz.

They later returned to Tanza Baybay and allegedly resumed their illegal drug activities.

The suspects allegedly sourced their drug supply from another Iloilo City-based drug personality.

Most of their customers were workers at the nearby Iloilo Fish Port Complex, Soliman said.

The suspects are detained and will face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.