ILOILO City – Police seized more than P400,000 worth of suspected shabu and arrested two high-value drug suspects in a late-night buy-bust operation in Barangay San Antonio, Molo district.
The operation, conducted shortly after midnight on January 6, resulted in the arrest of aliases “Otit,” 35, a construction worker, and “Jin-jin,” 34, an online seller, both residents of the barangay where the transaction allegedly took place.
The buy-bust was carried out by the Criminal Detection and Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Iloilo City Police Office, led by Police Captain Roque Gimeno III, in coordination with the Police Station 4 Special Drug Enforcement Team (SDET).
Police said the operation was the culmination of weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering aimed at disrupting local drug distribution networks.
Authorities said an undercover operative successfully transacted with the suspects using P5,000 in marked money. Upon the handover of 12 plastic sachets of suspected shabu, officers immediately arrested the suspects.
More than 60 grams of suspected shabu were recovered during the operation, with an estimated street value of P408,000, according to police. Additional non-drug items were also seized and are now being examined as potential evidence.
Police reported that the operation was conducted without incident. Both suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities said the arrest forms part of a broader, sustained effort to curb the illegal drug trade while strengthening community awareness on the dangers posed by narcotics./PN
