SEIZED. A drug operation seized 850 grams of shabu valued at PHP5.78 million in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City, Tuesday night (Feb. 13, 2024). Capt. Glen Soliman, team leader of the Regional Police Drugs Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) that led the operation said one of the two suspects they arrested was a bus driver also serving as a drug courier. (Photo courtesy of RPDEU 6)
ILOILO CITY – A bus conductor who moonlights as a drug courier was arrested along with another high-value individual during a buy-bust operation Tuesday night in this city’s Manduriao district.
The operation also resulted in the confiscation of 850 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP5.78 million, Capt. Glen Soliman, team leader of the Regional Police Drugs Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6), said Wednesday.
Soliman said the suspect, identified as Gilbert, 34, and resident of Barangay Cotta, Lucena City, is a courier without the knowledge of other bus drivers.
“According to him, he picked up the drugs somewhere in Pasay. He received a specific amount of money depending on the volume of drugs,” the police officer said.
He added that before the operation Tuesday night, the suspect also dropped drugs on one of their patrons on their way to Iloilo.
Gilbert was arrested in Barangay Sta. Rosa at 10 p.m. with one of his contacts identified as Pedik, 44, resident of Barangay Dungon B.
Pedik has a previous record for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 and was released from jail after seven years.
Police seized from the suspects 11 sachets of shabu, PHP50,000 buy-bust money, and other non-drug evidence.
The suspects were subjected to drug tests and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165. (PNA)
