P544-K drug bust nets duo in Pavia

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An alleged drug personality and his cohort were arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation shortly after midnight on June 11 in Pavia, Iloilo.

Rodniel Polmo Sabidalas, 34, and Joemarie Simoy Sabidong, 40, were arrested at Sabidalas’s house in Barangay Balabag, Pavia.

Members of the Pavia Municipal Police Station, together with the SBC Carles/EB Magalona, 4th SOU PNP Maritime Group, and Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU), apprehended the suspects after they allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu for P7,000.

During a frisk, police found 12 sachets of suspected shabu and some non-drug items on the suspects.

Major Dadje Delima, Pavia police chief, stated that the seized drugs weighed around 80 grams, with a standard drug price of P544,000.

Sabidalas was the main target of the operation. Both suspects, while having no previous drug arrests, are listed on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) list of illegal drug personalities.

Delima said the arrest came after a two-month surveillance operation.

Sabidalas told police he sourced his supply from another drug personality in Barangay Desamparados, Jaro, Iloilo City, and operated throughout the town of Pavia.

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