ILOILO – Anti-drug operatives confiscated approximately P1,564,000 worth of suspected shabu and arrested a high-value individual target during a late-night buy-bust operation in Mata Village, Barangay Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo, on Thursday, May 14.
At around 10:40 p.m., joint elements of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 3nd Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the Estancia Municipal Police Station (MPS) caught alias “Maymay,” 25, after he sold illicit drugs to an undercover operative. However, her alleged cohort, 34-yead-old alias “Jokie,” a resident of Ajuy town, managed to evade arrest and is currently the subject of a police manhunt.
Authorities recovered around 230 grams of suspected shabu along with the buy-bust money and non-drug-related items.
The suspects were allegedly operating in Estancia and nearby towns, including the island municipalities of Carles and Concepcion.
Investigation further disclosed that Maymay is a repeat offender. She was previously arrested in 2021 for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) but was released in 2024 via a plea bargaining agreement.
Maymay was detained at the Estancia MPS. She faces fresh charges for violation of RA 9165, particularly Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs). These offenses carry the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000.00 to P10,000,000./PN
