Teen, pal caught in P1.1-M drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A teenage boy and an event organizer were arrested during an anti-illegal drugs operation early morning of November 9 in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Sam Deanrick Saenz, 19, of Barangay Lopez Jaena Norte, La Paz, Iloilo City allegedly connived with John Rex Valentino, 36, of Zone 5, Barangay Ingore, La Paz in his illegal drug deal.

The two were arrested after they conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu worth P25,000 to a police poseur buyer at Circumferential Road 1 in Barangay San Jose around 1:05 a.m. Wednesday.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) and the Iloilo City Police Station 6 seized 20 more sachets of suspected shabu from Valentino and two sachets from Saenz.

They also yielded two mobile phones, P1,350 cash, and other non-drug items.

Lieutenant Glenn Soliman, RPDEU team leader, said the seized substance weighed around 170 grams and has a standard drug price of P1,156,000.

Soliman said that Saenz, a senior high school, was the target of the operation.

He involved Valentino since he allegedly sourced his supply from the latter.

After the order was placed, the poseur-buyer allegedly brought Saenz with him as the suspect has yet to get the supply from Valentino.

But aside from Valentino, Saenz still has other suppliers in the metropolis, Soliman added.

At his young age, Saenz is the unit’s top 6 priority high-value individual (HVI) on illegal drugs.

“He’s been our top priority because he mostly deals with other students,” Soliman said.

Saenz was monitored more than a month ago after knowing about his rampant illegal drug trade.

When police did the stakeout, they noted several persons going in and out of the suspect’s house.

“That’s why we presumed that his parents have knowledge about his activity,” Soliman said.

The two suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).