Three Nabbed in PHP1.3 Million Iloilo Drug Bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three individuals were arrested in a police anti-illegal drugs operation at noon on June 1 in City Proper, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspects as alias “Ervin,” 46, and “June,” 44, both residents of Barangay Muelle Loney, City Proper; and Rodolfo, 36, of Barangay Tambunac, San Enrique, Iloilo.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office–City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), along with Iloilo City Police Station 1, apprehended the suspects after they allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP12,000.

Upon frisking, police recovered five more sachets and four knot-tied plastic sachets of suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.

Captain Ryan Christ Inot, ICPO-CDEU team leader, said the seized drugs weighed approximately 200 grams with a standard street value of PHP1,360,000.

Authorities said Ervin was the main target of the operation.

Among the three, only Rodolfo had a prior drug-related arrest.

Rodolfo was apprehended in 2017 and released in 2020.

Police said the illegal drugs were allegedly delivered to the suspects via parcel.

All three suspects are classified as high-value individuals (HVI) on the illegal drug watchlist.

They are now detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.