ILOILO City — The top illegal drug priority target in Western Visayas and his companion were arrested following a buy-bust operation that yielded around P2.1 million worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Polot-an, Pototan, Iloilo on Monday afternoon, June 1.
The suspects, currently detained at the Pototan Municipal Police Station (MPS), were identified as aliases “Mike,” 33, a regional priority target, and “Joven,” 27, both residents of the said barangay.
Operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, Regional Intelligence Division 6, Philippine Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 6, and the Pototan MPS launched the sting at around 5:10 p.m. after conducting surveillance operations for over a week.
Confiscated from the suspects’ possession were approximately 315 grams of suspected shabu and the marked buy-bust money.
Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), lauded the joint operating units for the major breakthrough against the regional narcotics trade.
“This operation is a strong manifestation of our unwavering commitment to protect communities from the destructive effects of illegal drugs,” stated Tuaño. “The arrest of the suspects significantly disrupted the illegal drug supply chain in Western Visayas. We will continue to intensify our operations and relentlessly pursue individuals involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region.”
The suspects are facing charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002)./PN
