Iloilo: A significant anti-drug operation launched in Barangay Maya, Balasan, Iloilo, resulted in the seizure of over PHP14 million worth of shabu and the arrest of four suspects early Friday morning.
According to Philippines News Agency, Maj. Dadjie Delima, chief of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Drugs Enforcement Unit, stated that the main target, alias 'Bimboy', 46, a resident of Barangay Gogo, Estancia, was listed under the regional target priority list of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) and classified as a high-value individual.
He was apprehended along with three street-level individuals-alias 'Domingo', 63; alias 'Jose', 22; and alias 'Concepcion', 21-all residents of Balasan. Operatives recovered 17 heat-sealed plastic sachets and four knot-tied transparent plastics of suspected shabu weighing approximately 2.06 kilograms. The operation stemmed from information that the drug supply had arrived Thursday morning.
"The area of operation of Bimboy is the whole fifth district and the province of Capiz. Most of his operations focused on Balasan, Estancia, Carles, and Batad," Delima noted, adding that the suspect had been previously arrested for the same offense. "Since I assumed in Oct. 2024, this is the biggest recovery of the PDEU. Last year we had 1.8 kilos in Sara," he added.
PRO-6 director Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan highlighted the accomplishment as a testament to the firm and sustained campaign of the Philippine National Police against illegal drugs and high-value personalities attempting to operate in the provinces. "The confiscation of more than two kilos of shabu is a significant blow to the local drug network and prevents these illegal substances from destroying more lives," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, PHP1.76 million worth of shabu was confiscated, and three high-value individuals were arrested in two separate operations launched in Iloilo City on Thursday. In a report, the PRO-6 said operatives recovered approximately 180 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP1.22 million from suspects alias 'Tol', 37, and alias 'Bords', 41, during the operation in Barangay Sto. Ni±o Norte, Arevalo. Additionally, around 80 grams of shabu worth PHP544,000 were recovered from alias 'Jomar' in a separate operation in Barangay Compania Central, Molo.
The suspects are facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while alias Bimboy is facing an additional case for violation of RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
