P1.02M worth of shabu seized in Iloilo City

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 22-year-old man was arrested during a police anti-narcotics operation on the evening of August 13 at Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The suspect, identified as Mac Ryan Obapial, a resident of the same barangay, was apprehended following a buy-bust operation at the Old Chapel in Zone 3, Bakhaw.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), in coordination with Iloilo City Police Station 10, arrested Obapial after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P12,000 to a police poseur buyer.

Upon frisking, authorities found four more sachets of suspected shabu in his possession.

Lieutenant Colonel Rene Obregon Jr., chief of ICPO-CDEU, stated that the seized drugs weighed around 150 grams, with an estimated street value of P1,020,000.

Obregon noted that the suspect had no prior drug-related arrests, although he is related to several Obapials who have been arrested in anti-drug operations over the past several years.

The most recent was his uncle, Mark Anthony Obapial, 41, of Barangay Desamparados, Jaro, who was arrested last month.

Obregon also highlighted that the location where Obapial conducted the transaction with the police was just about 100 meters from where another drug peddler was arrested last week.

“As long as they continue to trade drugs, there’s no stopping us from carrying out continuous anti-illegal drug operations,” Obregon emphasized.

Obapial is currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.