ILOILO — A month-long anti-drug offensive by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) netted P25-million worth of shabu and led to the arrest of 32 drug personalities, including 12 high-value individuals.
IPPO records show that 27 anti-illegal drug operations were carried out across the province in January, resulting in the seizure of 3.6 kilograms of shabu.
The Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) posted the largest haul at P10.4 million, followed by the Batad Police Station (P8.5 million) and Sara Police Station (P1.1 million).
Among those arrested were two barangay chairmen.
On January 7, police seized more than P2.7 million worth of suspected shabu and dried marijuana leaves from Jeguer “Junjun” Verbal, 51, the barangay captain of Canauili, Janiuay town.
Authorities said suspect Verbal yielded 410 grams of alleged shabu with a standard drug price of P2,788,000 and 8.2 grams of dried marijuana leaves valued at P4,100.
A week later, Ed Martin Gonzaga Alconga, 39, barangay chairman of Tuble, San Dionisio town, was arrested after police recovered 950 grams of shabu worth P6.5 million from him.
Both operations were spearheaded by the PDEU, and both suspects were charged for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
IPPO director Bayani Razalan credited the gains to sustained police work against illegal drugs.
“We congratulations police stations who have a good accomplishments against illegal drugs and we encouraged other police chiefs to double their efforts to neutralize drug peddlers in their area of assignment,” Razalan said./PN
