ILOILO City – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) seized around P3.2 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested five drug personalities during a series of anti-narcotics operations across the province in three days.
Records from IPPO showed that various units conducted four operations from October 22 to 24, netting a total of 483 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3.284 million.
The first operation was carried out by personnel of the Passi City Police Station on October 22 at around 11 p.m. Operatives collared alias “Donald,” 36, in Barangay Quinagaringan Pequeño. He yielded 220 grams of alleged shabu worth P1,496,000.
On October 23, two consecutive busts were executed in Sara and Pototan towns. At around 2:10 p.m., police arrested alias “Boboy,” 38, in Barangay Aldeguer, Sara, recovering 53 grams of suspected shabu valued at P360,400.
An hour later, aliases “Che-che,” 42, and “Stephen,” 23, were apprehended in Barangay Barasan, Pototan, after seizing 155 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,054,000.
The three-day provincial drive concluded on October 24 at around 4:25 p.m. in Barangay Mali-ao, Pavia, where law enforcers arrested alias “Nene,” 39, and confiscated 55 grams of suspected shabu worth P374,000.
IPPO director Colonel Bayani Razalan commended his personnel for their sustained intelligence gathering, target validation, and enhanced coordination with partner agencies and stakeholders.
“We will continue to intensify our anti-illegal drug operations, strengthen collaboration with our partners, and pursue individuals involved in the illegal drug trade to disrupt their illicit activities and protect our communities from the harmful effects of illegal drugs,” said Razalan.
He added: “Furthermore, these arrests should serve as a stern warning that individuals found to be engaged in illegal activities will face appropriate law enforcement action and be brought before the courts to answer for their offenses.”
All suspects were under police custody and will be charged for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
