Trio nabbed in PHP1 million Iloilo drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three newly identified drug personalities were arrested in an anti-narcotics operation on the evening of July 16 in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspects as MacMac, 46, of Barangay Jalandoni Estate, Lapuz, Iloilo City; alias Kyle, 18; and alias Benjie, 42, both of Zone 8, Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office–City Drug Enforcement Unit, along with personnel from Police Station 3, arrested the suspects in a buy-bust operation at the home of a detained drug suspect in Barangay San Isidro.

A police poseur-buyer was able to purchase a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP9,000.

Authorities seized four more sachets and three knot-tied plastic packs of suspected shabu, along with various non-drug items.

Captain Roque Gimeno, ICPO-CDEU chief, said the confiscated drugs weighed around 150 grams with an estimated standard drug value of PHP1.02 million.

Gimeno said MacMac was the main target of the operation.

The suspects allegedly used the house of a previously arrested drug personality as their base for illegal drug transactions and pot sessions.

The two older men reportedly used Kyle to assist customers in locating the house.

None of the suspects have prior drug-related arrests.

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