Trio Arrested in P1.5-M Drug Bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three individuals were arrested in an anti-narcotics operation on the afternoon of November 24 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspects as alias Jonas, 52, of Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao; alias Edsel, 43, of Barangay Balantian, Balasan, Iloilo; and alias Lorence, 43, of Barangay Tabucan, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

Jonas is classified as a high-value individual (HVI), while Edsel and Lorence, who are temporarily residing in Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao, are considered street-level drug pushers.

The arrests were made by officers from the Iloilo City Police Station 10 after Jonas sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 15,000.

Captain Val Cambel, chief of ICPS 10, said Edsel and Lorence were at Jonas’ residence during the operation and were believed to be using drugs at the time.

“We’re still verifying if they are also involved in the illegal drug trade,” Cambel said.

During the operation, police recovered eight additional sachets and two knot-tied plastic packs of suspected shabu.

The confiscated drugs weighed approximately 230 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 1,564,000.

Authorities revealed that Jonas had a prior drug-related arrest and was released last year. He was also on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

The suspects are now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.