Nearly P14-M 'shabu' seized in Iloilo town

ILOILO CITY — Authorities seized at least 2,055 grams of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) valued at nearly P14 million and arrested three high-value individuals (HVIs) during a major buy-bust operation in Oton, Iloilo early Sunday morning, June 21.

The operation, spearheaded by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) and supporting intelligence units, took place at around 1 a.m. at Block 20, Lot 3, Florvel Subdivision in Barangay Buray. The confiscated illegal drugs carried a standard drug price of P13,974,000.

Police identified the arrested suspects by their aliases: “Boss,” 26; “Jude,” 32; and “Choco,” 28. All three are originally from Molo, Iloilo City, and are classified by police as high-value individuals.

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According to Col. Arnel Solis, Oton Municipal Police Station (MPS) chief and Iloilo Police Provincial Office spokesperson, the suspects have deep ties to the illegal drug trade and had relocated to Oton in an attempt to evade law enforcement.

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Solis added that the trio allegedly served as a major distribution arm for a larger syndicate.

The arrests were the culmination of more than a month of intensive intelligence monitoring, case build-up, and validation, heavily aided by tips from concerned citizens.

During the bust, operatives recovered 22 knot-tied transparent plastic bags and 11 heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu.

Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, acting regional director of PRO6, lauded the joint efforts of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, Regional Intelligence Division 6, PNP Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 6, and Oton MPS.

The three suspects are currently in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. /das

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