Market porter nabbed with P204K worth of ‘shabu’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A kargador, or market porter, was arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation afternoon of Jan 27, 2022 in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Arnel Arbolado alias Jopol, 32, a resident of Desamparados, Jaro, and porter of Jaro Public Marker was arrested at the nearby Claudio Lopez St. in Barangay CC El-98.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6) and Iloilo City Police Station 3 collared Arbolado after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P4,500.

Recovered from his possession were three sachets of suspected shabu, the marked money, and P1,000 cash.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, RPDEU-6 chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 30 grams and has a standard value of P204,000.

Darroca said Arbolado is on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC)’s watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

Authorities also considered him a high-value individual (HVI) drug personality.

While Arbolado admitted to using illegal drugs before, he denied involvement in drugs peddling.

But reports claimed that he was previously arrested for selling marijuana and was also accused for theft.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165

(Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).