Twin drug busts net PHP 1 million shabu in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than PHP 1 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Iloilo province, police said.

The operations resulted in the arrest of two newly identified high-value individuals from the towns of New Lucena and Oton.

The first suspect, identified as alias “Melvin,” 44, was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Wari-Wari, New Lucena, where he also resides.

Personnel of the New Lucena Municipal Police Station arrested Melvin at about 11:35 a.m. on Jan. 18 after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer.

Police recovered eight additional sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items from the suspect.

The seized drugs weighed about 55 grams and were valued at PHP 375,000 based on the standard drug price.

Authorities said Melvin had been under surveillance for about two weeks following reports of his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Police said he allegedly sourced illegal drugs from Bacolod City and distributed them in several barangays in New Lucena.

In a separate operation, alias “Francisco,” 51, was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion South, Oton.

The arrest was carried out at about 6:10 a.m. Monday by members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 1, in coordination with the Oton Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Francisco was arrested after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 13,000, police said.

Authorities recovered six more sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items during a frisk.

The seized drugs weighed about 100 grams and were valued at PHP 680,000.

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