P836K worth of shabu seized in Iloilo City drug busts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Authorities seized approximately P836,000 worth of suspected shabu in two separate anti-drug operations in Iloilo City on Sept. 12, resulting in the arrest of six suspects, while another remains at large.

Joely Cornelio, 49, of Barangay Ingore, La Paz, was arrested at 3:53 p.m. Thursday in Zone 6, Barangay Boulevard, Molo.

His companion, Stephen Suria, 37, a resident of Barangay South San Jose, Molo, and temporarily residing in Zone 6, Boulevard, evaded arrest.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) and Iloilo City Police Station 4 attempted to arrest the two suspects after they allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu worth P8,000.

However, Suria managed to escape.

During the operation, police recovered 19 more sachets of suspected shabu and a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with four rounds of ammunition.

The seized drugs weighed approximately 55 grams, with an estimated value of P374,000.

Later that evening, at 11:20 p.m., ICPO-CDEU personnel and members of the Iloilo City Police Station 2 arrested five suspects in a buy-bust operation in Zone 2, Barangay Lopez-Jaena Norte, La Paz.

The suspects were identified as RJ Padin, 26; Leon Rendon III, 37; and RJ Hope Padin, 24, all residents of Barangay McArthur, La Paz; Zoren Sunio, 34, of Barangay Lopez-Jaena Norte, La Paz; and Jacob Ayo, 31, of Bliss Project, Barangay Caingin, La Paz.

The five suspects allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu worth P6,500.

Police also recovered 13 additional sachets of suspected shabu, a caliber .38 revolver loaded with three rounds of ammunition, and several non-drug items from the suspects.

The seized drugs weighed around 68 grams, valued at P462,400.

All six arrested suspects and Suria, who remains at large, will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Additional charges for violating Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, will be filed against Padin and Suria.