ANTI-DRUG OPERATION. Operatives of the Capiz Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (CPPDEU) recovered 16 sachets in various sizes of suspected shabu weighing more or less 250 grams from two suspects during a drug bust operation in Barangay Banica in Roxas City, Capiz on Wednesday (Feb. 8, 2023). Maj. Leomindo S. Tayopon, unit chief of the CPPDEU, said two high-value suspects were arrested. (Photo courtesy of CPPDEU)
ILOILO CITY – A buy-bust operation in Barangay Banica in Roxas City, Capiz has resulted in the arrest of two suspects and confiscation of PHP1.7 million worth of shabu on Wednesday morning.
Maj. Leomindo S. Tayopon, unit chief of the Capiz Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (CPPDEU), identified the suspects Dennis E. Benitez, 48, a resident of Barangay Lawa-an and his live-in partner Jurelyn D. Besa of Barangay Culajao, both in Roxas City.
“Benitez was apprehended through a buy-bust in 2014 and was released in 2021 through plea bargaining. His live-in partner was a (drug) user but both are considered high-value individuals since they were caught together during our buy-bust operation,” Tayopon said in an interview.
The suspects initially sold a sachet of suspected shabu to the poseur buyer for PHP20,000 while an additional 16 sachets in various sizes of suspected shabu weighing more or less 250 grams, one digital weighing scale, a cellular phone and a sling bag were recovered in a follow-up search.
Their area of operation covers the whole of Capiz and Roxas City.
Benitez temporarily stopped his operation while inside the jail but his name again appeared during a buy-bust operation in January this year.
“He sourced his drugs from Manila that were shipped to him through a courier,” Tayopon added.
The two suspects are currently in the custody of the Roxas City Component City Police Station while waiting for the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In Iloilo City, the police are looking forward to sustaining the fight against illegal drugs following the confiscation of some PHP95,000 worth of shabu in an operation carried out by the City Drugs Enforcement Unit at midnight of Feb. 7 in Barangay Taal, Molo.
Arrested was 44-year-old Jordan Alba, a resident of Barangay Bakhaw in Mandurriao, and included on the PNP’s drug watch list as a high-value individual. (PNA)
