SEIZED. The suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of about PHP1.15 million, is confiscated by the Regional Police Drugs Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) during a buy-bust in Barangay Calaparan, Iloilo City on Tuesday (July 18, 2023). The series of anti-drug operations in the city on the same day yielded more than PHP3 million worth of suspected shabu, Iloilo City Police Office spokesperson, Maj. Shella Mae Sangrines, said in an interview on Wednesday (July 19, 2023). (Photo courtesy of RPDEU)
ILOILO CITY – A series of drug buy-bust operations conducted by various law enforcement agencies in Iloilo City on Tuesday resulted in the confiscation of about 450 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP3.06 million.
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) spokesperson, Maj. Shella Mae Sangrines, in an interview on Wednesday, said the series of operations were led by various operatives including those from the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (DEG), Regional Police Drugs Enforcement Unit (RPDEU), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the ICPO police stations.
The biggest haul was led by the RPDEU in Barangay Calaparan and Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 1 where more or less 170 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP1.156 million and 55 grams of illegal drugs worth PHP374,000 were confiscated, respectively.
“These two operations of the RPDEU seized over PHP1.5 million. They have the biggest contribution in the 24 hours,” she said.
The DEG-led operation in Barangay Balabago confiscated more or less 130 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of PHP884,000.
The ICPO-led operation in Barangay Airport, meanwhile, seized 65 grams of suspected shabu priced at PHP442,000, while a joint operation with PDEA resulted in the dismantling of a drug den in Barangay Simon Ledesma and the confiscation of 30 grams of illegal drugs valued at PHP204,000.
“The reason why these operations are successful is because of our very vigilant and active community. We have earned their full trust the reason why we have these big operations not only by the ICPO but also of other operating units,” Sangrines added.
The five operations arrested eight suspects – four high-value individuals, one drug den maintainer, two drug den visitors, and a street-level individual.
Identified as high-value individuals were Wenchel G. Provido, 37, of Barangay Zamora; Connie G. Denosta, 37, of Barangay Balabago; Michael John V. Hilario, 29, of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 1; and James Michael D. Chua, 35, of Barangay MH Del Pilar.
The other suspects were identified as drug den maintainer Jasper de Pedro Pamiroyan, 29; drug den visitors Siorenstoen F. Sultan, 22, and Federico F. Henoales Fuentes, 31; and street-level individual Arnold C. Evangelista, 44.
The suspects will be facing charges for violations of the various provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
