‘Shabu’ seized in Iloilo came from Roxas City

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— The illegal drugs confiscated from the four Capiceños who were arrested by police Santa Barbara, Iloilo came coming from Roxas City.

This was confirmed by the team leader of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU).

Based on the three-month monitoring by the RDEU, it was confirmed that the group of Jan Herbert Roxas sourced the alleged shabu from Capiz while he was on lockdown in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the RDEU, Roxas became ”popular” at Deca Homes in Brgy. Balabag Santa Barbara, Iloilo because a lot of people were seen in the rented house where the four suspects stayed.

The house was also used as a “drug den” where “pot sessions” were held.

Aside from that, the RDEU also claimed that food delivery workers were also used as drug couriers to buyers in other areas of the province.

The RDEU said Roxas himself admitted that he got their drug supplies from an unidentified sources in Roxas City.

Four persons from Capiz province were arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation afternoon of June 3, 2020 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Anti-drug operatives collared Roxas, 43, of San Roque Extension, Roxas City; and his three colleagues Hersky Cabarlo, 43, of Poblacion Ilawod, Dumarao town; Rudini Arabacan, 36, of Barangay Cagay, Roxas City; and Roseler Villalba, 39, of Poblacion Ilaya, Dumarao.

Members of the PNP Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RDEU-6) and the Regional Intelligence Division 6 (RID-6) arrested the four suspects around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Deca Homes in Barangay Balabag.

Police reports stated that the four allegedly conspired and connived in selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P2,000.

Recovered from the suspects was a round plastic container filled with 16 big heat-sealed sachets and a small plastic sachet of suspected shabu.

RDEU-6 operatives pegged the street value of the confiscated drugs at P2 million.

The four suspects were charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

So far, it is the biggest amount of illegal drugs seized in Iloilo for the past several months.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) spokesperson, said that they have monitored that some illegal drug personalities went active following the placement of the entire region under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Meanwhile, punong barangay Arthur Aragon confirmed that Arabacan is a resident of Brgy. Cagay here.

He said Arabacan was first arrested in a drug bust operation a few months ago but he was released through plea bargaining agreement.

Since then, he pledged to stop his illegal activities but Aragon said he was surprised after learning that Arabacan was arrested in Iloilo.

Meanwhile, two persons were arrested in separate drug buy-bust operations Thursday afternoon here and in Pontevedra town.

Members of the Roxas City Police Station collared Mark Orly Gabriel, 25, of Angelville Subdivision in Brgy. San Jose here in a drug bust at in Brgy. Cabugao here.

Recovered from Gabriel was a big sachet of suspected shabu, P8,000 boodle or fake money, a cellphone, and a motorcycle.

Police estimated the total value of the seized illegal drugs at P13,000.

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old drug surrenderer was arrested anew in a drug buy-bust operation by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) and Pontevedra Municipal Police Station in Barangay Binuntucan, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Police identified the suspect as Ruel Babela also of said place.

Recovered from Babela were 4 plastic sachets of suspected shabu, P500 marked money, P1,500 cash, and one unit tricycle.