P3.06-M of shabu seized in twin drug busts in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon

There’s no stopping the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) from conducting heightened operations against illegal drugs in the advent of the Dinagyang Festival celebration.

Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Iloilo City police chief, said the recent anti-illegal drug operations were aimed at curbing the shabu supply for distribution during the festivities.

“And we wouldn’t want that to happen,” he said.

The two latest anti-narcotics operations resulted in the confiscation of more than P3 million worth of suspected shabu.

In an operation afternoon of Jan. 19 in Barangay Arguelles, Jaro, police arrested Christian Persius Sevilleja, 34, a range staff and resident of said place; and Michael Alacreto, 37, a call center agent from Barangay Balabago, Jaro.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), together with the Iloilo City Police Station 3, PNP Drug Enforcement Group and Coast Guard District a Western Visayas (CGDWV)b-Intelligence Group, busted the suspects for selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P12,000.

Also seized from them were 10 more sachets and a knot-tied plastic bag of suspected shabu, a sling bag, a mobile phone, a caliber .45 pistol (serial number 191539) with two magazines and 14 ammunition and a holster.

The seized drugs weighed around 280 grams and were valued at P1,904,000.

Meanwhile, four persons were arrested in another buy-bust operation afternoon of Jan. 20 at Zone 3, Barangay Tanza Esperanza, City Proper district.

The suspects were identified as Adrian de la Cruz, 25; April Rose Pineda, 31; Teresita de la Cruz, 57; and Roger Cabayao, 54. All are residents of the said place.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6), together with personnel from the Iloilo City Police Station 1 and the ICPO-CDEU, said Adrian was the target of their operation.

The suspects allegedly connived in selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P16,000.

When frisked, police seized a knot-tied plastic bag and 13 more sachets of suspected shabu, cash of P1,000 and other non-drug items.

The seized drugs weighed around 170 grams and were valued at P1,156,000.

All six suspected will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

An additional case for violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) will be filed against Sevilleja and Alacreto.