Vendor Arrested in PHP1.36-M Drug Sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A vendor was arrested with more than PHP1.3 million worth of illegal drugs in a police anti-narcotics operation on the afternoon of Feb. 19 in Molo, Iloilo City.

Oscar, 57, was apprehended at his home in Zone II, Barangay San Juan, Molo.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), Iloilo City Police Station 4, and Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6 arrested the suspect after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP8,000.

During a frisk search, police seized three knot-tied plastic bags and 10 sachets of suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.

Captain Ryan Christ Inot, ICPO-CDEU team leader and concurrent chief of ICPS4, said the confiscated drugs weighed around 200 grams and were valued at PHP1,360,000.

Inot said the suspect had been on the police list of high-value drug personalities.

Reports indicated that customers would visit the suspect’s house to buy shabu.

The suspect admitted to selling illegal drugs, claiming financial difficulties forced him into the trade.

He said he did not know the person who supplied the drugs to his home.

The suspect is currently detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, from Feb. 1 to 15, the Iloilo City Police Office conducted 26 anti-drug operations, leading to the confiscation of 656 grams of suspected shabu worth approximately PHP4,460,800 and the arrest of 33 drug suspects.