ILOILO – Authorities recovered illegal drugs and a hand grenade during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tabucan, Dumangas town on Thursday, April 24, raising alarm over the increasing involvement of armed individuals in the local illegal drug trade.
Joint operatives of the Dumangas Municipal Police Station, Philippine National Police’s Drug Enforcement Group and Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Drug Enforcement Unit seized an estimated 150 grams of suspected shabu worth around P1,020,000 from a high-value suspect identified as alias “Aming.”
Also arrested were two alleged street-level targets, aliases “Alfoni” and “Kier”, both 23 years old and residents of the aforementioned barangay.
“The presence of a hand grenade in this operation is deeply concerning. It suggests that drug personalities are becoming more desperate and dangerous,” said Police Regional Office 6 director Brigadier General Jack L. Wanky.
He emphasized that the police remain firm in their anti-drug campaign despite the growing risks.
“We will not back down. Our commitment is clear — we will pursue and hold accountable anyone who continues to threaten our communities with illegal drugs and violence,” Wanky added.
The suspects are now under police custody. They will be charged for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 20022, and RA 9516 that punishes illegal possession of explosives./PN
