Nearly PHP 1 million shabu seized in Iloilo stings

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Almost PHP 1 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in two anti-narcotics operations in Jaro, Iloilo City, recently.

The operations led to the arrest of alias Angelo, a 30-year-old construction worker from Jaro district, and alias Val, 41.

Members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit 6 arrested Angelo during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Desamparados, Jaro district, on May 5.

Angelo, considered a high-value drug personality, yielded approximately 65 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of PHP 442,000.

While in tears, Angelo denied that he was using illegal drugs or was involved in the illegal drug trade.

Reports said he was arrested for a drug-related offense in 2017.

PDEG operatives, however, said they conducted test buys on the suspect before his arrest.

Meanwhile, Val was arrested late evening on May 6 in Barangay M.H. Del Pilar, Jaro.

Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 6, and Iloilo City Police Station 9 arrested Val, while his cohort, alias Alog, managed to evade arrest.

Seized evidence included 17 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 75 grams with a standard drug price of PHP 510,000, a Mitsubishi Xforce crossover SUV, a mobile phone, drug paraphernalia, and various documents, including a passport and seaman’s book.

The arrested suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.