TWO high-value drug suspects were arrested and around 510 grams of shabu valued at P3,468,000 were seized during a buy-bust on RY Ladrido Street, Barangay San Jose, Ward, Pototan, Iloilo, at 7:25 p.m. on July 21, 2025.
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), praised the operating units for their successful anti-drug operation.
“I commend our operating units for the successful arrest of two drug suspects and the seizure of a large amount of illegal drugs. This shows our strong commitment to the fight against illegal drugs in the region,” he said.
Ligan praised the hard work, teamwork, and dedication of the community members in maintaining safety, emphasizing the need to continue their efforts.
The suspects were identified as alias Boy, 52, a resident of Pototan, Iloilo, and alias Poping, 45, a resident of Altavas, Aklan. Both have been tagged as high-value individuals (HVIs) by authorities.
Confiscated from the operation were one heat-sealed plastic sachet of shabu, seven plastic bags of shabu, and one self-sealing plastic bag containing white granules suspected to be salt but will undergo lab verification.
Also seized were buy-bust money, a caliber .45 pistol with four magazines and 27 rounds of live ammunition, a red Suzuki Multicab with keys and documents, drug paraphernalia, and other non-drug items.
A follow-up operation conducted at 9:45 p.m. yielded more illegal drugs, including two knot-tied plastic bags and one heat-sealed plastic sachet of white crystalline substance, along with additional non-drug evidence.
The suspects are currently under police custody and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013, and RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Leo Solinap)