Three anti-drug raids in Iloilo seize PHP1.26M ‘shabu’

Six individuals, including three high-value targets, were arrested in a series of coordinated anti-drug operations across Iloilo City and Iloilo province on Tuesday, yielding over PHP1.26 million worth of suspected shabu.

The largest operation took place in Barangay Vista Alegre, Barotac Viejo, at around 8:57 p.m. on August 19, where joint forces from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) Team 3, Barotac Viejo Municipal Police Station, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit arrested an alleged High-Value Individual (HVI).

The suspect, identified as alias “Dev,” a 26-year-old jobless resident of Barangay Natividad, was caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer.

Authorities also recovered two additional sachets, bringing the total confiscated shabu to approximately 65 grams, with a standard drug price (SDP) of PHP442,000.

Dev’s alleged cohort, alias “Heart,” a 29-year-old also considered an HVI, managed to evade arrest and is still at large.

Earlier that day, Iloilo City Police Station 4 (ICPS4) apprehended one HVI and two street-level individuals (SLIs) during a 3:42 p.m. buy-bust in Zone 2, Barangay San Juan, Molo.

Seized from the suspects — identified only as “Jude” (HVI), “Third” (SLI), and “Koykoy” (SLI), all residents of the area — were five sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 60 grams and valued at PHP408,000, along with buy-bust money and other non-drug items.

At 6:03 p.m., a third operation was conducted in Zone III, Barangay San Pedro, Jaro, by composite elements from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), Police Station 9 (ICPS9) Special Drug Enforcement Team, and the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit 6 (PDEG SOU6).

Two flower vendors — alias “Andi,” 59, and alias “Negra,” 45, both single and residents of Barangay San Pedro — were arrested after authorities seized 12 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 60 grams, also valued at PHP408,000.

The suspects from all three operations are now under police custody pending the filing of charges.

“These successful operations highlight our continued commitment to eliminate illegal drug activities in Iloilo,” said a senior officer from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

The combined haul of suspected shabu from the three buy-bust operations totaled 185 grams, with an estimated market value of PHP1.26 million.

According to the Dangerous Drugs Board, possession of more than 50 grams of shabu constitutes drug trafficking, which carries penalties of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from PHP500,000 to PHP10 million under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Law enforcement authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the seized drugs and determine whether the suspects are part of larger syndicates.

Residents in the affected barangays expressed concern over the prevalence of illegal drugs in their communities.

“Hindi namin akalain na dito pala nagbebenta ng droga. Nakakatakot para sa mga bata,” a mother of two in Barangay San Juan said.

Police have reiterated their appeal for public cooperation.

“We encourage citizens to report suspicious activities. Community vigilance is essential in our fight against illegal drugs,” the ICPO said in a statement.