Suspected drug courier nabbed in PHP 612,000 Iloilo sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — Police arrested a suspected shabu courier during an anti-drug operation on the afternoon of July 27 in Lemery, Iloilo.

The suspect, identified only as alias Rhon-Rhon, 38, of Barangay Malbog in Estancia, Iloilo, was apprehended after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 2,200 to an undercover police officer.

Members of the Lemery Municipal Police Station seized five additional sachets of suspected shabu following the arrest.

Capt. John Robles, Lemery police chief, said the seized drugs weighed about 90 grams and had an estimated standard drug price of PHP 612,000.

The operation followed two months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, target validation, and profiling.

Robles said the suspect had no previous arrest record.

Police placed Rhon-Rhon under surveillance after other arrested drug suspects in Iloilo’s fifth district identified him as their alleged source.

Information gathered by police indicated that Rhon-Rhon worked as a courier for another drug suspect based in Estancia.

Police said Rhon-Rhon allegedly delivered shabu supplies to street-level dealers operating in towns across Iloilo’s fifth district.

Rhon-Rhon remains in the custody of the Lemery Municipal Police Station and has been charged with violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The law penalizes the unauthorized sale, delivery, transportation, and possession of dangerous drugs, including methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.