PHP5.4 million worth of shabu seized in Iloilo drug raids

Iloilo police arrested six suspects and seized over PHP5.4 million worth of suspected shabu, firearms, and a grenade in two major anti-drug operations conducted in the towns of Dingle and Lemery on August 23, 2025.

In Dingle, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-DEU) Team 2, in coordination with several units, arrested five individuals during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tinocuan at around 1:40 p.m.

The operation led to the confiscation of approximately 740 grams of suspected shabu with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of PHP5,032,000, along with firearms and an explosive device.

The suspects were identified as alias “Niel,” 39, with live-in partner, and alias “Ben,” 55, jobless — both tagged as high-value individuals (HVIs).

Three others identified as street-level individuals (SLIs) were alias “John,” 31, single and jobless; alias “Frans,” 30, with live-in partner; and alias “Jerry,” 44, jobless, a resident of San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Recovered from the operation were seven big heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu, two regular-sized sachets, and three small sachets.

Authorities also seized one long-barrel homemade 12-gauge shotgun, one homemade AR 15-9mm rifle, one suspected airsoft rifle, one M67 high-explosive hand grenade, and various non-drug items.

The raid was conducted by a joint team consisting of PDEU Team 1, IPPO Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Dingle Municipal Police Station, 603rd Mobile Company of RMFB6, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Earlier that day, a separate buy-bust operation conducted at around 9:10 p.m. in Barangay Tabunan, Lemery, Iloilo, led to the arrest of another high-value individual (HVI).

The suspect, known by the alias “Boyboy,” 24, a student and resident of Villa, Iloilo City, was apprehended by joint operatives from the Lemery Municipal Police Station, the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Team 3 of the IPPO Drug Enforcement Unit.

Seized from him were three plastic sachets containing around 60 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of PHP408,000, marked buy-bust money, and other non-drug items.

All suspects are currently under police custody and will be charged for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.