Suspected Pusher Caught in PHP1.36M Iloilo Drug Bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A suspected drug pusher was arrested late morning on Oct. 2 in Molo, Iloilo City, after evading two previous police anti-narcotics operations.

Stephen Suria, 45, of Barangay South San Jose, Molo, was apprehended at his boarding house in Zone 6, Boulevard Village. Members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), along with Iloilo City Police Station 4 and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, arrested the suspect after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 8,000.

During a search, authorities seized 10 more sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items. Captain Ryan Christ Inot, CDEU team leader, said the confiscated drugs weighed around 200 grams, with an estimated value of PHP 1.36 million.

Inot revealed that Suria has at least two pending drug-related cases.

“We were already advised by the court about his arrest warrant,” he said. Suria appeared unaware that charges had been filed against him, having previously fled during a buy-bust operation.

The last incident occurred around two months ago, after which Suria reportedly hid in Bacolod City. Recently, an informant tipped off police that he had returned to his rented place in Barangay Boulevard.

Inot also disclosed that a complaint had been made against Suria for using his 8-year-old neighbor to deliver a sachet of suspected shabu to a client.

However, no criminal case was filed for his exploitation of the minor.

Suria is now detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.