P1.836 M worth of ‘shabu’ seized in twin buy-busts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A significant amount of illegal drugs was seized following separate anti-illegal drug operations in Molo, Iloilo City.

The twin drug busts resulted in the arrests of Benjie Baculinao, 32, of Zone 3, Barangay Boulevard, Molo, Iloilo City; Jessie Kirk Mariano, 28, of Barangay North Baluarte, Molo; and Margie, 24, of Barangay Mabolo-Delgado, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Both operations were spearheaded by members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU).

CDEU operatives, along with members of Iloilo City Police Station 4, Maritime Police Station, and Iloilo City Mobile Force Company, collared Baculinao around 1:40 p.m. on February 16 at Zone 3, Juntado Subdivision, Barangay Calumpang, Molo.

Baculinao, a taxi driver, was allegedly caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P12,000.

Upon being frisked, he was found in possession of nine additional sachets and a knot-tied plastic bag containing suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez, Jr., ICPO-CDEU chief, reported that the seized drugs amounted to approximately 150 grams of suspected shabu, with a standard drug price of P1.020 million.

Meanwhile, Mariano and his girlfriend Tiong were apprehended during a buy-bust operation at 9:50 p.m. on February 17 in Barangay North Baluarte, Molo.

The couple was allegedly involved in selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P15,000. They were later found with eight more sachets of suspected shabu, with the total haul weighing around 120 grams and valued at P816,000.

All three suspects are now detained and will be charged with violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).