ILOILO City – A 55-year-old man was arrested in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Arevalo district on Thursday morning, July 30, after yielding more than P3 million worth of suspected shabu and an unlicensed firearm.
Authorities identified the suspect by his aliases “Eric” or “Rokyo,” a resident of the area.
Operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6) carried out a buy-bust operation at around 7:30 a.m. and seized 50 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect.
Two hours later, police executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence, recovering an additional 500 grams of suspected shabu, alongside a homemade firearm. Police said a total of P3.4 million of suspected shabu was seized.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño revealed that the suspect had been under surveillance for three months prior to his apprehension.
Tuaño lauded the operating units for taking a high-value individual off the streets.
“Ang matagumpay na operasyong ito ay bunga ng masusing intelligence gathering at mahusay na koordinasyon ng ating mga yunit. Patuloy nating tutugisin ang mga high-value target at paiigtingin ang kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga upang maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad,” said Tuaño.
He also appealed for continued public support in the ongoing anti-drug campaign.
“Ang pakikipagtulungan ng bawat mamamayan ay mahalaga upang higit pang mapalakas ang kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga at mapanatili ang ligtas at mapayapang mga komunidad,” he added.
The suspect faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act./PN
