Pavia police raid nets P1.29M in shabu

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

A man claiming to be a police asset was arrested following an anti-narcotics operation on the evening of May 7 in Barangay Mali-ao, Pavia, Iloilo.

Edmon, 36, had been under surveillance for several months after allegations surfaced that he was involved in illegal drug activities.

Members of the Pavia Municipal Police Station and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Police Drug Enforcement Team executed the raid at Edmon’s residence under Search Warrant No. SW39-08-2024 issued by Judge Victorino Maniba of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) 6, Branch 39, Iloilo City for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165).

The search yielded two knot-tied and seven plastic sachets of suspected shabu, along with other non-drug related items.

The seized drugs weighed approximately 190 grams, valued at a standard drug price of P1,292,000, according to Major Dadje Delima, chief of Pavia police.

Delima clarified that despite Edmon’s claims of being a police asset, he was merely associated with known assets to avert police suspicion.

“Edmon was just tagging along with our asset. He did that every time he thought the police were monitoring him,” Delima explained.

Authorities opted for a search operation instead of a drug buy-bust due to Edmon’s familiarity with police operatives. Previously arrested in a buy-bust operation in 2016, Edmon was released in 2019 after availing a plea bargaining agreement and was still on probation at the time of his latest arrest.

He had reportedly acquired about half a kilo of illegal drugs from Estancia town, which he was supposed to transport to Pavia. Instead, he dropped it off in Janiuay town, with the remainder of that stash being seized during his arrest.

Edmon is now detained and faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165.