PHP 1.59 million shabu seized in Iloilo drug busts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — More than PHP 1.59 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in two separate anti-drug operations on Aug. 14 in Barotac Nuevo and Oton towns in Iloilo province.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit arrested alias “Dave,” 24, of Barangay Bungca, Barotac Nuevo, and alias “Mariken,” 40, of Barangay Buray, Oton.

PDEU Team 2, together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6, Barotac Nuevo Municipal Police Station, and Provincial Intelligence Unit, arrested Dave at 5:45 p.m. Friday.

Police seized about 105 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of PHP 714,000.

Police said Dave allegedly operated in the towns of Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, and Dumangas.

Meanwhile, PDEU Team 1 arrested Mariken at 8:32 p.m. Friday in Barangay Buray, Oton.

The suspect, who works as a job order employee, allegedly yielded 130 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 884,000.

The two operations resulted in the confiscation of about 235 grams of suspected shabu with a combined estimated value of PHP 1.598 million.

Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, said the operations succeeded because of timely and accurate information provided by the community.

He said the information was supported by intelligence monitoring, validation, and surveillance operations.

“Patuloy nating tututukan ang mga sangkot sa pagbebenta at distribusyon ng ilegal na droga upang maputol ang kanilang mga network at mapanagot ang lahat ng nasa likod ng mga ito,” Tuaño said.

The suspects are detained and will face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.