ILOILO City – A man described by police
as an elusive drug suspect was arrested yesterday in a sting operation in
Barangay Hibao-an Norte, Mandurriao district.
Police identified him as 40-year-old Janibal Estrellas, tagged as a
“high-value” target.
Prior to his arrest, Estrellas allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover officer P3,600 around 11:30 a.m.
When frisked, the suspect yielded nine more sachets of suspected illegal drugs. Police also recovered the marked money.
Mandurriao police station chief Major Marlon Valencia said Estrellas was a member of the Richard Prevendido Drug group.
“The suspect turned himself in to the police sometime in 2017 but he did not undergo rehabilitation. Estrellas instead continue to engage in the illegal drug trade,” Valencia added. “He is the region’s priority target. He’s very vigilant when transacting with his customers.”
Valencia also said the suspect mainly gets his drug supply from Bacolod City.
“It’s really hard to get drug pushers because some of our targets are no longer in our area. We are now focusing to new faces,” Valencia added.
The suspect was now detained in the lockup facility of the Mandurriao police station, facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
