A HIGH-VALUE target in the illegal drug trade was arrested in a buy-bust in Montecello Subdivision, Barangay Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo, at 6 p.m. on March 25, 2025.
Authorities confiscated approximately 240 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of P1.63 million.
The suspect, identified as alias "Redzon," 52, separated, jobless, and a resident of Barangay Desamparados, Jaro District, Iloilo City, was temporarily residing in Montecello Subdivision at the time of his arrest.
According to law enforcement officials, Redzon sold one sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover operative before he was apprehended.
Police Major Dadje B. Delima confirmed that Redzon was caught selling illegal drugs after meticulous surveillance and intelligence gathering, as reported by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
Authorities recovered the following items from Redzon's possession:
- One sachet of suspected shabu used in the buy-bust operation
- Five large heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu
- Two knot-tied packs of suspected shabu
- Three heat-sealed regular-sized sachets of suspected shabu
- P6,000 in marked buy-bust money
- Other non-drug-related items
The inventory of the confiscated drugs was conducted on-site, witnessed by Barangay Captain Elmer Escaniel of Barangay Balabag, Pavia, and Francis Basco, a media representative from Radio Todo Media Corp.
Redzon was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was taken to the nearest hospital for a medical examination and will undergo booking procedures before formal charges are filed.
The buy-bust operation was led by IPPO PDEU Team 1, with support from PDEU Team 2, Pavia Municipal Police Station (MSP), and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the IPPO.
Authorities estimate that the prevailing street price of shabu in the area is P6,800 per gram. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)