Tokhang surrenderer falls in drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An Oplan Tokhang surrenderer was arrested following a police anti-narcotics operation morning of September 1 at Lambunao, Iloilo.

Mark Angelo Luces, 29, was arrested at his home at Barangay Walang, Lambunao.

Members of the Lambunao Municipal Police Station and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) Team 2 arrested the suspect after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P1,100.

Recovered from the suspect were the buy-bust money, cash of P680, five sachets of suspected shabu, and several non-drug items.

Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said the seized drugs weighed five grams and has an estimated standard drug price of P40,000.

Suegay said the suspect was arrested after a two-week surveillance operation.

Luces surrendered in the government’s Oplan Tokhang in 2018.

However, he had no previous drug-related arrests.

Luces is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).