BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) successfully thwarted the distribution of a substantial amount of illegal drugs following a major buy-bust operation recently.
On Monday afternoon, Jan. 22, in Barangay Zamora Melliza, City Proper, three men were found in possession of more or less 500 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P3,400,000.
They were identified as Rexston Amoroso, 30, Ricsie Biclar, 33, and Joel Abada, 42, all residents of the said barangay.
Police Colonel Joeresty P. Coronica, director of the ICPO, disclosed that they were high-value suspects.
The apprehensions were carried out after a police poseur successfully bought P18,000 worth of the illegal substance.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Antonio Benitez, Jr., head of the Iloilo City Intelligence Office, expressed the likelihood of these individuals being involved in repackaging and distributing drugs across Iloilo City.
He added that the illegal drug seizure is likely to be distributed during the upcoming Dinagyang Festival 2024.
Benitez also confirmed Amoroso’s involvement in a shooting incident that occurred in the same barangay on New Year, with his live-in partner admitting to his use of a firearm during an altercation.
Amoroso is the son of Ricardo Rex Amoroso, a suspect in the killing of Alejandro Panes, Jr., a restobar waiter in Mandurriao district.
The elder Amoroso was apprehended during a hot pursuit operation, along with six others, during which the police confiscated firearms, a grenade, and suspected shabu./PN
