P3.6-M Worth of Dinagyang Drugs Seized in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY – Illegal drugs worth over PHP 3.6 million were seized during a series of operations in Iloilo City on January 18.

Colonel Kim Legada, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director, said the confiscated shabu was likely part of the supply intended for distribution during the Dinagyang Festival.

The first of three anti-drug operations took place at Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district, at around 11:07 a.m.

Alias “Cris,” 38, was arrested by members of Iloilo City Police Station 10 (ICPS10) in Barangay Democracia, Jaro, after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 15,000.

Authorities recovered eight additional sachets of suspected shabu, along with non-drug paraphernalia.

Captain Val Cambel, ICPS10 chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 150 grams, with an estimated value of PHP 1,020,000.

The second operation was conducted at 4 p.m. in Jaro, where ICPS9 apprehended a family driver identified as alias “Joven,” 34, of Zone 6, Barangay Bito-on.

Joven allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 35,000.

Upon further inspection, six more plastic sachets and five knot-tied plastic bags of suspected shabu were found in his possession.

The confiscated drugs weighed approximately 300 grams and were valued at PHP 2,040,000.

The third operation occurred at 7:45 p.m. on Quezon Street, Barangay Nonoy, City Proper, where ICPS1 arrested two suspected drug peddlers.

Alias “Jasper,” 32, of Barangay Acao, Cabatuan, Iloilo, and Jayme, 33, of Barangay Delgado-Mabolo, City Proper, were caught after conspiring to sell a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 7,000.

Seven more sachets and a knot-tied plastic bag of suspected shabu were seized from their possession.

The recovered drugs weighed around 85 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 578,000.

All four suspects are now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Colonel Legada said investigators are looking into the possibility that the transactions originated from the National Bilibid Prison, with the drugs sourced from Metro Manila.

With the Dinagyang Festival nearing its highlight, Legada warned that more suppliers might attempt to smuggle larger volumes of illegal drugs into the city.