Six nabbed, PHP3.9M shabu seized in Iloilo drug ops

BACOLOD CITY — Police in Western Visayas arrested six drug suspects, including four high-value individuals (HVIs), and seized nearly PHP3.91 million worth of suspected shabu in separate buy-bust operations in Iloilo City and Iloilo province from Aug. 8 to 10, 2025.

The biggest haul came from an early morning operation in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia, Iloilo, on Aug. 10, where operatives arrested HVIs alias “Trenos” and “Buloy,” both from Estancia, along with street-level individuals (SLIs) alias “Carl” of Estancia and “Ric” of Carles.

The suspects were caught around 12:43 a.m. with 280 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP1,904,000, buy-bust money, and various non-drug items.

The operation was led by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO PDEU) Team 3, with support from the Estancia Municipal Police Station, 2nd Iloilo Police Mobile Force Company, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Hours later, at around 5:19 a.m. in Barangay Gogo, Estancia, police arrested another HVI, alias “Jen,” 36, a resident of the area.

Members of the Estancia MPS and PDEU Team 3 seized 155.04 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP1,054,272, along with buy-bust money and other non-drug items.

On Aug. 8, police also arrested two HVIs in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Iloilo City and Santa Barbara, recovering more than 140 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP952,000.

At 1:07 p.m., Iloilo City Police Station 2 nabbed alias “Nonoy,” 38, in Barangay Laguda, La Paz, Iloilo City, with nine sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 55 grams worth PHP374,000, buy-bust money, and other items.

Less than an hour later, at 2:01 p.m., IPPO–PDEU Teams 1 and 2, the Santa Barbara Station Drug Enforcement Team, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit arrested alias “Arvie,” 21, in Barangay Nasugban, Santa Barbara.

Recovered from Arvie were seven sachets and one knot-tied plastic containing suspected shabu weighing about 85 grams valued at PHP578,000, plus other items.

Police Regional Office 6 Regional Director PBGEN Josefino D. Ligan commended all operating units for their coordinated work.

“This latest success in Iloilo is proof that our intensified operations are working and that no place is safe for drug traffickers in Western Visayas,” Ligan said. “We will sustain this momentum, track down every player in the drug trade, and ensure they face the full force of the law.”

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