Ex-con falls in P918K drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Another convicted drug personality who got out of detention through a plea bargaining agreement was arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation shortly after midnight of February 22 at La Paz, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspect as Anjo Abello, 26, of Zone 1 Barangay Rizal, La Paz district.

Members of Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, Iloilo City Police Station 2 and Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) collared the suspect in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz.

He allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P20,000 to a police poseur buyer.

Recovered from his possession were 27 sachets of suspected shabu, the buy-bust money and several non-drug items.

Captain Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 team leader, said the seized drugs weighed around 135 grams and were valued at P918,000.

Soliman said the suspect is considered a high-value individual.

Members of La Paz PNP arrested him in a drug buy-bust operation in October 2016 but was released through plea bargaining agreement on Sept. 29, 2019.

He was also on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

Soliman said they have been receiving reports of Abello’s illegal drug activities in the city and province of Iloilo.

He was placed under surveillance for a month before his arrest.

Through his network, Abello could distribute around 100 grams per week.

Abello is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).