Three Nabbed in PHP2.7M Drug Bust in Miag-ao

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY – Three individuals were arrested in an anti-drug operation early June 30 in Miag-ao, Iloilo, with police seizing over PHP2.7 million worth of suspected shabu.

The suspects were identified only as alias Randolf, 47, of Barangay Salvacion Habog-Habog, Molo, Iloilo City; alias Joel, 37, of Barangay Gines, Miag-ao; and alias Leen, 38, of Paguntalan Street, Barangay Bolho, Miag-ao.

They were arrested during a buy-bust operation at Joel’s residence, conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, in coordination with the Miag-ao Municipal Police Station and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU).

The suspects allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP12,500.

Authorities recovered 18 more sachets of suspected shabu, PHP1,070 in cash, a mobile phone, a loaded .38-caliber revolver, an improvised glass tooter, aluminum strips and foils, a digital weighing scale, and various drug paraphernalia.

RPDEU-6 team leader Capt. Glenn Soliman said the seized drugs weighed approximately 410 grams and were valued at PHP2,788,000.

Soliman said Randolf was the main target of the operation.

This marks his third arrest for illegal drugs.

More than 10 years ago, Soliman’s team arrested him in Molo, Iloilo City.

In 2022, Randolf was again arrested in Tigbauan, but the case was dismissed.

He had been out of jail for eight months prior to this operation.

Randolf reportedly sourced his drug supply from Iloilo City and had distributed a portion of it in Tigbauan.

He was allegedly en route to Antique at the time of his arrest.

Soliman said Randolf used Joel and Leen as his runners.

Police believe his transactions were linked to his siblings, who are currently incarcerated.

The suspects are now detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).