ILOILO City — Police operatives dismantled an alleged local drug network in Oton, Iloilo, arresting six suspected drug personalities and seizing around P1.5 million worth of shabu in a coordinated anti-illegal drugs operation in Barangay Pulo Maestra Vita.
The suspects were arrested at around 2:01 p.m. on February 5 in Zone 7 of the village in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6) in coordination with the Oton Municipal Police Station.
Detained at the Oton Police Station were alias “Jeffrey,” 37, and his live-in partner alias “Zaza,” 45; alias “Syd,” 37; alias “Mark,” 28 — all residents of Barangay Pulo Maestra Vita, Oton; and alias “Sha,” 27, and alias “Nato,” 36, both from Barangay Jibao-an, Pavia town.
Police said the operation stemmed from a transaction arranged by a police asset with the primary targets — Jeffrey, Zaza, and Mark — to purchase P14,000 worth of shabu.
The transaction led to the arrest of all six suspects and the recovery of 220 grams of shabu valued at P1.5 million, including the buy-bust items.
According to Captain Glen Soliman of RPDEU-6, the suspects had been under surveillance for several weeks prior to the operation.
“The four suspects are the errands of the couple, Zaza and Jeffrey. Sila gina sugo sugo sang mag live-in pero when we transacted, the couple and Mark were the ones who handed down the drugs,” Soliman said.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, police chief of Oton, said the suspects had long been on the radar of local police.
“They are also in our target list and we are glad that they were already arrested,” Solis said.
Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, director of Police Regional Office 6, commended the operating units for the successful operation, stressing its impact on community safety.
“Every drug personality arrested and every gram of shabu seized means lives saved and families protected. Our fight against illegal drugs is not just about enforcement, it is about safeguarding the future of our communities. PRO6 will remain relentless in running after those who attempt to poison our streets,” Ligan said.
PRO-6 assured the public that sustained, intelligence-driven anti-drug operations will continue across Western Visayas to ensure safer and drug-free communities./PN
