Two ‘pushers’ caught in motel drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two Oton town residents were arrested in a police anti-illegal drugs operation inside a motel in Arevalo, Iloilo City evening of March 7, 2023.

Police identified the suspects as Mark John Naces, 26, of Barangay Cagbang, Oton and Bryan dela Cruz, 26, of Barangay Poblacion East, Oton.

The suspects allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P2,500 while billeted at Moonlight Lodge in Barangay Sto Niño Sur, Arevalo district.

After their arrest, five more sachets of suspected shabu, the P2,500 marked money, P700 personal cash, and a mobile phone was seized from Naces.

Meanwhile, dela Cruz yielded a sachet of suspected shabu and a mobile phone.

Captain Resty Labasteda, Iloilo City Police Station 6 chief, said Naces was the target of their operation.

A police informant tipped authorities about Naces’ involvement in the illegal drug trade a few weeks back.

Labasteda said both suspects are alleged street-level individuals (SLIs).

They had no previous drug-related arrests.

Naces and dela Cruz are now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).