PHP 3.7 million shabu, gun seized in Iloilo drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than half a kilo of suspected shabu and an unlicensed firearm were seized in a police anti-illegal drug operation shortly before midnight on Nov. 29 in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Alias Von, 47, a resident of Barangay Namocon, Tigbauan, Iloilo, was arrested in a buy-bust operation at Barangay San Jose, Arevalo.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office–City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), along with the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics Team and the Regional Intelligence Unit 6, made the arrest after the suspect sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 15,000.

When frisked, the suspect was found in possession of 10 more sachets and 12 knot-tied plastic bags of suspected shabu, a caliber .38 revolver (Serial no. 740328) with six rounds of ammunition, and several non-drug items.

Captain Roque Gimeno, ICPO-CDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed approximately 550 grams with an estimated street value of PHP 3.74 million.

Gimeno said the suspect had no previous drug-related arrest.

Alias Von allegedly worked for a murder suspect currently detained at a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Pototan, Iloilo.

However, police believe the drug supply is still being negotiated through a contact detained at the New Bilibid Prison.

The supply was reportedly sent via courier.

Von was placed under surveillance after several arrested drug pushers identified him as their source.

The suspect is now in custody and will be charged with violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).