WV anti-drug police seize PHP 10.2M in shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two separate anti-drug operations in Iloilo province have yielded more than PHP 10.2 million worth of suspected shabu.

Spearheaded by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, the twin operations were conducted within four hours of each other.

The first operation took place at around 8:05 p.m. on Dec. 5 in Barangay Hipodromo, City Proper, Iloilo City.

The RPDEU-6 team, led by Deputy Chief Maj. Marvin Villanueva, arrested a 36-year-old man known as alias Jun, a resident of Hipodromo, and his 26-year-old live-in partner, alias Tata, of Barangay Liberation, also in City Proper.

The suspects allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000 to undercover operatives.

A follow-up search yielded nine additional sachets and 16 knot-tied plastic packs containing suspected shabu.

Villanueva said the seized drugs weighed approximately 1.2 kilograms and were valued at PHP 8.16 million.

The suspects had been under surveillance for two months before their arrest.

Police said Jun and Tata acted as bodegero (warehouse keeper) and street-level distributors, operating in Iloilo City and nearby towns.

They refused to disclose the source of their drug supply.

Jun had been arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in 2016 and was released in November 2020. Tata had no prior drug-related arrests.

Meanwhile, RPDEU-6 operatives conducted a second operation at around 12:27 a.m. on Dec. 6 in Barangay Pulo Maestra Vita, Oton, Iloilo.

Villanueva’s team arrested Elizer, 39, of Barangay Poblacion North, Oton, and alias Bads, 28, of Barangay Caingin, La Paz, Iloilo City.

The suspects allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000.

Police later recovered 13 additional sachets from Elizer and two from Bads.

Authorities also seized an Android mobile phone, a belt bag, PHP 509 in cash, and a Honda Click motorcycle.

Villanueva said the confiscated drugs weighed around 305 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 2.074 million.

Investigators looked into possible links between the suspects from the Iloilo City and Oton operations but found no connection.

Both Elizer and Bads had no previous drug-related arrests.

Elizer allegedly delivered the drugs in parcels to customers across Iloilo City and surrounding towns.

All four suspects are now in custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.