Nearly PHP1.3M Shabu Seized in 4-Hour Iloilo City Ops

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Authorities seized nearly PHP1.3 million worth of suspected shabu in a series of anti-drug operations on the evening of March 13.

The operations, which began at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, led to the arrest of four suspects, three of whom are high-value individuals (HVIs).

Personnel from the Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 10 first arrested a suspect known as alias Apa, 43, of Barangay Hibao-an Sur, Mandurriao.

He was caught in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tabucan, Mandurriao, and was found with around PHP374,000 worth of suspected shabu.

Officers from ICPS 2 then arrested alias Richard, 31, of Zone 3, Sambag, Barangay Magsaysay, La Paz.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) listed Richard, an auto mechanic, as No. 2 on their priority list.

He was caught in a buy-bust operation at 9:50 p.m. with around PHP476,000 worth of suspected shabu.

At around 10:35 p.m., ICPS 9 operatives conducted another anti-drug operation, leading to the arrest of alias Rainier, 37, of Barangay M.H. Del Pilar, Jaro.

Police seized 60 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP408,000.

The final operation, conducted by ICPS 5 at 10:50 p.m., led to the arrest of alias Billy, 47, of Barangay Oñate-de Leon, Mandurriao.

Billy, identified as a street-level pusher, was found with suspected shabu worth PHP27,200.

Iloilo City police chief Col. Kim Legada commended ICPO operatives for their continued efforts in the fight against illegal drugs.

“Let’s continue our momentum, intensify our campaign, create more support from the community, and exert extra effort to identify the cohorts of these illegal drug traffickers,” he said.