PHP 1.04 million shabu seized in Estancia drug bust
By Jennifer P. Rendon
ILOILO CITY — More than PHP 1 million worth of suspected shabu was seized during an anti-drug operation in Estancia, Iloilo, early Friday morning, Oct. 16.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Juston,” 29, of Barangay Pa-on, Estancia, was arrested during a roadside buy-bust operation in Barangay Tacbuyan.
The suspect was alone when he agreed to meet his supposed buyers near a cemetery in Barangay Pa-on.
He allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer for PHP 12,000.
During a subsequent search, police recovered a knotted plastic bag containing suspected shabu, two additional sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items.
Lt. Adrian Baligod, Estancia police chief, said the seized suspected illegal drugs weighed approximately 153 grams, with an estimated standard drug price of PHP 1,040,400.
The suspect was arrested following nearly two months of police surveillance.
Baligod said the suspect had no previous drug-related arrests, but his name had surfaced during investigations involving previously arrested drug suspects.
He is now detained and faces charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The latest arrest follows a series of major anti-drug operations in Estancia in recent months, during which authorities have seized substantial quantities of suspected illegal drugs.
In September, eight individuals were arrested during an operation in Barangay Botongon.
Police recovered approximately 495 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 3,366,000.
A week earlier, authorities arrested an alleged drug warehouse keeper and confiscated approximately 340 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 2,312,000.
On Sept. 22, police seized more than PHP 2.8 million worth of suspected illegal drugs from a 32-year-old man in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia.
In another operation on Sept. 1, four individuals were arrested while three others escaped during a buy-bust operation in Purok Paghidaet, Barangay Poblacion Zone 2.
Police confiscated approximately 230 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 1,564,000.
A construction worker and a student were also arrested in a separate operation along Clement Street in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2.
Authorities recovered approximately PHP 1.6 million worth of suspected illegal drugs during that operation.
The series of arrests and seizures highlights continuing police operations against suspected illegal drug distribution in the northern Iloilo municipality.
Comments (0)
LEAVE A REPLY
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Related Articles
NO ‘GHOST, SUBSTANDARD’ PROJECTS: Capitol hits Bayan-Panay over ELCAC audit claims
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo provincial government on Friday disputed Bayan-Panay’s corruption allegations against anti-insurgency infrastructure projects, saying the Commission on Audit (COA) findings did not establish that the projects were nonexistent or that public funds were stolen. The provincial government also said the left-leaning group is misleading the public. Provincial
‘PHANTOM’ GAMES?: COA questions P472K Iloilo media games over faked photos, missing records
ILOILO CITY — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged PHP 472,224 in Iloilo provincial government expenses for media sports competitions in 2021 and 2022, citing unreliable supporting documents, inconsistencies in photographic evidence, missing records, and accounts from media practitioners who denied participating in the games or receiving cash prizes. In
2 in 3 Filipinos back billionaire wealth tax, survey finds
MANILA — A majority of Filipino adults support a proposed wealth tax on billionaires, with 66.3% in favor and 28.0% opposed, according to the August 2026 National Momentum Survey by Momentum Research. The non-commissioned survey, conducted from Aug. 18-23, asked Filipinos whether they agree or disagree with the proposed wealth