ILOILO City — Police operatives arrested a suspected high-value drug personality in Lambunao, Iloilo on Saturday and seized an estimated P2.4 million worth of shabu, as authorities intensified their crackdown on drug trafficking outside urban centers.
The suspect, a 42-year-old farmer known by the alias “Kobo,” was arrested around 12:30 p.m. during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Barangay Madarag and was brought to the Lambunao Police Station.
Major Dadje Delima of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) said the suspect yielded about 350 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P2.4 million.
Delima said the suspect had been under police surveillance for several weeks following information received by authorities and corroborated by earlier arrested individuals.
He added that the suspect was operating in the central towns of Iloilo and was sourcing illegal drugs from Iloilo City.
On the other hand, Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) director Col. Bayani Razalan commended the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit for the successful operation, saying it underscored the police force’s sustained campaign against illegal drugs across the province.
“Congratulations PDEU sa inyo madinalag-on nga operasyon kontra-ilegal nga droga kag ang pag-aresto sa sining newly identified drug personality dira sa banwa sang Lambunao. Pamatuod lamang ini nga ang inyo mga Ilonggo cops ang wala untat sa pag-monitor sa mga indibidwal nga nagaduso sang ilegal nga droga diri sa aton probinsya. Nagapasalamat man kita sa padayon nga pagsalig kag suporta sang aton pumuluyo sa aton mga kapulisan,” Razalan said.
The suspect will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
