ILOILO CITY — Intensified anti-drug operations conducted across Western Visayas over a 24-hour period over the weekend resulted in the seizure of more than 2.5 kilograms of suspected shabu worth PHP17.14 million and the arrest of 11 drug suspects, including five high-value individuals (HVIs).
The largest drug haul was recorded in Barangay Buray, Oton, Iloilo, where operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit-Western Visayas conducted a buy-bust operation around 1 a.m. Sunday.
Authorities confiscated more than two kilograms of suspected shabu valued at PHP13.97 million and arrested three HVIs identified only by their aliases: siblings “Boss,” 26, and “Choco,” 28, both residents of Barangay Calumpang, Molo District, Iloilo City, along with their alleged runner, “Jude,” 32, a resident of Oton.
According to the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas (PRO-6), the operation was the result of more than a month of intelligence gathering, surveillance, validation, and case build-up, aided by information provided by concerned citizens.
In a separate operation in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia, Iloilo, police arrested five suspects and seized approximately 364 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP2.47 million.
Among those arrested was HVI alias “Pirot,” 43, along with aliases “Jo,” 52; “Ryan,” 38; “Deo,” 36; and “Berto,” 26.
Meanwhile, another anti-drug operation in Barangay Pani-an, Balasan, Iloilo led to the arrest of another HVI and the confiscation of 91 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP618,000.
PRO-6 Acting Regional Director Randulf Tuaño lauded the successful operations, saying they underscore the effectiveness of the police force’s intelligence-driven campaign against illegal drugs.
“The successful operations demonstrated the effectiveness of our intelligence-driven anti-illegal drug campaign. With the unwavering dedication of our personnel, sustained inter-unit coordination, and active support of the community, PRO-6 was able to confiscate a substantial volume of illegal drugs and arrest high-value individuals, significantly disrupting the illegal drug supply chain in Western Visayas,” Tuaño said.
Police said the arrested suspects are facing charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The latest operations form part of the continuing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs and dismantle drug networks operating in the region.|
