ILOILO — Operatives from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) apprehended a high-value suspect during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Wari-Wari, New Lucena, Iloilo, on January 18.
The operation executed at around 11:35 a.m. resulted in the seizure of approximately 55 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P375,000.
The suspect identified as alias “Melvin” was taken into custody by officers of the New Lucena Municipal Police Station (MPS), the lead unit in the operation. The raid was conducted in coordination with the IPPO’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit – Special Operations Group (IPPO PDEU-SOG) Team 1 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6.
Authorities recovered nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing the suspected substance, as well as buy-bust money and other non-drug-related items.
Melvin is now facing charges under Republic Act 9165, specifically for Illegal Sale of Dangerous Drugs (Section 5) and Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs (Section 11).
Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), lauded the operating units for their diligence.
“This operation sends a strong message that we will relentlessly pursue those who destroy lives through illegal drugs. Every seizure is a step toward protecting our communities and fostering a safer environment for families. PRO-6 remains committed to intelligence-driven and lawful operations, with full respect for human rights,” Ligan said./PN
