Motorcycle taxi driver nabbed in PHP 1.19 million shabu sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A freelance motorcycle taxi driver was arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation shortly before midnight on April 13 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The suspect, identified only as alias Karl, 31, was arrested in a buy-bust operation at his house in Barangay Dungon C.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit, along with personnel from the ICPO SWAT Team, Iloilo City Police Station 5 and the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, arrested the suspect after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 6,000.

Police said they also seized eight sachets and four knot-tied plastic bags containing suspected shabu.

Capt. Roque Gimeno III, chief of the ICPO-City Drug Enforcement Unit, said the seized suspected shabu weighed about 175 grams and had an estimated standard drug price of PHP 1,190,000.

Gimeno said the suspect had reportedly been involved in the illegal drug trade for at least three years.

He said police had tried to arrest the suspect in the past, but the operations did not push through.

Gimeno added that the suspect was not on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council watch list because reports indicated that he is a relative of a barangay official.

Police said the suspect allegedly sourced his supply from another drug personality based in Barangay San Isidro in Jaro District.

The suspect remains in police custody and will be charged with violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.