ILOILO City – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) confiscated approximately 645 grams of suspected shabu worth P4.4 million and arrested four suspects in three separate buy-bust operations across the province on April 9.
The crackdown began at 11:30 a.m. in Barangay Nagsulang, Lemery, Iloilo where police arrested a 59-year-old resident of Roxas City, Capiz known by the alias “Bruno.” Recovered from his possession were 250 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P1.7 million.
At around 1:20 p.m., a second operation in Barangay Banban, Batad town led to the arrest of alias “Rene,” 39, a resident of Estancia town. Police seized 340 grams of the same illegal substance worth P2.3 million and a homemade caliber .38 revolver loaded with six rounds of live ammunition.
The last operation was executed at 7 p.m., in Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Sara. Authorities apprehended aliases “Jose,” 39, a businessman, and “Jesus,” 41, a laborer. The duo was found in possession of 55 grams of alleged shabu worth around P374,000.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, IPPO director, credited the success to his officers’ proactive efforts.
“Imagine kung ilang tao ang maging addict kung hindi natin nahuli,” said Razalan.
All four suspects face charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Rene faces an additional charge for violation of RA 10591 regarding the possessing of an unlicensed firearm./PN
