ILOILO City — A 40-year-old recidivist tagged as a high-value target is back in police custody after a joint buy-bust operation yielded approximately 210 grams of suspected shabu valued at around P1,428,000, in Molo district on March 31.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Derick,” was apprehended at around 10:05 p.m. on Tuesday in Barangay Taal. The operation was a coordinated strike led by the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO CDEU), alongside the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, the ICPO-SWAT Team, and Iloilo City Police Station 4 (ICPS 4).
Police records reveal that Derick is a repeat offender. He was previously arrested in February 2022 for drug-related charges and was only recently released in January 2026 after serving his sentence under a plea-bargaining agreement.
During the sting, operatives recovered 13 plastic sachets and three larger plastic packs containing the suspected illicit substances, along with the buy-bust money and various non-drug-related items.
The suspect was detained at ICPS 4, facing charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan commended the operating units for the successful interdiction, emphasizing the necessity of relentless monitoring.
“The arrest of a recidivist high-value individual underscores our firm commitment against illegal drugs. This reflects the dedication of our personnel and the importance of community cooperation,” Ligan stated. “We will sustain intensified operations to hold offenders accountable and keep our communities safe.”/PN
