Twin drug ops net PHP 2.4 million shabu in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two anti-illegal drug operations conducted within four hours in Iloilo City yielded more than PHP 2.4 million worth of suspected shabu.

The twin operations were carried out by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6 and led to the arrest of three individuals.

Personnel from RPDEU-6, the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) 6, PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and Iloilo City Police Station 2 arrested a 19-year-old suspect, alias Caloy, along Jereos Street, La Paz, Iloilo City at around 10:27 p.m. on November 12.

Caloy, a resident of Zone 1, Barangay Baldoza, La Paz, and a delivery rider, was arrested after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 11,000.

He was later found in possession of 10 more sachets and a knot-tied plastic bag of suspected shabu, along with a mobile phone, PHP 1,300 in cash, and other non-drug items.

Major Marvin Villanueva, RPDEU-6 deputy chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 155 grams with a standard drug price of PHP 1,054,000.

Caloy had no previous drug-related record.

Villanueva said he sourced the drugs from a dealer in Iloilo City.

The second operation took place at around 2:50 a.m. on November 13 in Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Two suspects, alias Alog, 44, of Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz, and alias Jerson, 33, of Barangay Infante, Molo, were arrested after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000.

Police recovered nine more sachets and three knot-tied plastic bags containing shabu.

Villanueva said the confiscated drugs weighed around 200 grams and were valued at PHP 1,360,000.

Alog, a construction worker, had no prior drug-related arrest.

Jerson, however, was previously arrested in a 2018 buy-bust operation and later released through a plea bargaining agreement.

The three suspects are now detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.