P1.19 million worth of shabu seized in Iloilo City raids

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Around P1.19 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in two separate anti-illegal drug operations in Iloilo City on Monday (May 6).

The twin drug buy-busts resulted in the arrest of Richard Pampango, 47, of Barangay Taal, Molo, Iloilo City, who is temporarily residing in Cuartero, Jaro district; Camille Rosauro, 27, of Barangay Punong, Lapuz; and Gabriel Arroyo, 50, of Barangay Monica Blumentritt, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), along with Iloilo City Police Station 3 and the Maritime Police Station – Iloilo, arrested Pampango and Rosauro around 6:10 p.m. at Fajardo Extension, Zone 3, Barangay Cuartero, Jaro.

The suspects allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P14,000. They were found with 12 more sachets and various non-drug items.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez, Jr., CDEU chief, stated that the drugs seized from Pampango and Rosauro weighed around 70 grams, valued at approximately P476,000.

Meanwhile, Arroyo was arrested at 4:20 p.m. in Barangay Monica Blumentritt by a combined team of the Iloilo City Police Station 1, ICPO-CDEU, Special Weapons and Tactics team, and PNP Drug Enforcement Group.

He allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P10,000 and was found with 10 more sachets and a knot-tied plastic pack containing suspected shabu.

Captain Roque Gimeno III, ICPS1 chief, reported that the seized shabu from Arroyo weighed around 105 grams, with a street value of P714,000.

The suspects are currently detained and will be charged under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.