ILOILO City – Police operatives arrested a 31-year-old suspect in a buy-bust operation, confiscating approximately 60 grams of suspected shabu worth P408,000.
The operation took place on Nov. 19, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. in Barangay Yulo-Arroyo, City Proper.
The suspect, alias “Mar”, is a resident of Barangay 18-A, Victorias City, Negros Occidental. Authorities have classified him as a high-value suspect in the illegal drug trade.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Station 1, in coordination with the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 6, and the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, carried out the operation.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office 6, lauded the collaborative effort that led to the arrest.
“We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their respective localities. With your information, we can gather evidence for more law enforcement operations against illegal drug peddlers,” he said.
The suspect is now under police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), the country’s primary law that governs illegal drugs.
Section 5 of the law explicitly addresses the “Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution, and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals.”
Section 5 states: “It is unlawful for any person, unless authorized by law, to sell, trade, administer, dispense, deliver, distribute, or transport dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, or essential chemicals.”
The penalty for violating this section includes life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
The penalties may be imposed more strictly under aggravating circumstances, such as:
* selling drugs to minors
* selling drugs in schools, workplaces, or other prohibited areas
* if the offender is part of an organized syndicate
* if the offender uses their position or influence to commit the crime/PN
