ILOILO – Police operatives seized approximately 560 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3,808,000 and arrested five suspects during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion Zone 1, Estancia, Iloilo, on Tuesday afternoon, April 7.
The operation, carried out at around 1:50 p.m., was led by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 3, in coordination with the Estancia Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.
Authorities identified the primary suspect as alias “Kurt,” 20, single, a resident of Estancia tagged as a high-value individual (HVI). Also apprehended were four street-level targets identified by their aliases: “Jade,” 35; “Len,” 21; “Raf,” 42, seafarer; and “Charl,” 19.
The arrests followed a month-long surveillance period. Recovered during the operation were five large knot-tied and 11 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money, and other non-drug-related items.
Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), lauded the operating units for the substantial recovery.
“The seizure of a substantial amount of illegal drugs in this operation is a strong indication of our intensified and sustained campaign against illegal drugs in the region,” said Ligan. “I commend our operating units for their dedication, coordination, and relentless efforts in bringing these individuals to justice.”
The region’s top cop also urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to support the anti-drug initiatives.
The suspects are currently under police custody and face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
