Ro-Ro passenger arrested with suspected drug paraphernalia in Dumangas

ILOILO CITY — A 27-year-old passenger was arrested after suspected illegal drug paraphernalia was discovered in his belongings at the Dumangas Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Passenger Terminal in Barangay Sapao, Dumangas, Iloilo, early Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18.

The suspect, identified by the alias “Marven,” is a resident of Barangay Salazar, Tibiao, Antique.

According to initial reports, a female security screener was inspecting the suspect’s backpack when she discovered a green chewing gum container holding several pieces of suspected drug paraphernalia.

The screener immediately sought assistance from the Dumangas Municipal Police Station and turned the suspect over to responding officers.

Police said Marven was bound for Bacolod City when the items were discovered during the routine security inspection.

Authorities recovered an improvised tooter containing suspected shabu residue, a straw, a disposable lighter and a chewing gum container from the suspect’s backpack.

Marven was reportedly the fifth passenger found carrying suspected illegal drug paraphernalia at the Dumangas Ro-Ro Passenger Terminal since Oct. 10.

On Oct. 10, a port security scanner detected an improvised tooter among another passenger’s belongings.

The following day, authorities recovered suspected dried marijuana leaves from a passenger bound for Bacolod City.

Separate inspections on Oct. 13 and 17 also resulted in the discovery of suspected drug paraphernalia in the belongings of other passengers.

The incidents highlight the continuing security inspections at the Dumangas Ro-Ro Passenger Terminal, a major maritime gateway connecting Iloilo and Negros Occidental.