Major Drug Bust in Iloilo Nets P1.7 Million Worth of Shabu
In a significant blow to narcotics trafficking in Western Visayas, police operatives have successfully conducted coordinated anti-drug operations in Iloilo City, resulting in the arrest of three high-value individuals and the seizure of shabu valued at approximately P1,768,000. The operations, which took place on February 19, 2026, targeted key locations in the city's districts, demonstrating law enforcement's intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Coordinated Operations Yield Substantial Haul
According to official reports from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6, the operations led to the confiscation of 260 grams of shabu, a dangerous and illegal substance. Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, the director of PRO 6, praised the efforts of the operating units, emphasizing the impact of these actions on community safety.
"This series of successful operations demonstrates our unwavering resolve to go after high-value drug personalities," Ligan stated. "By taking substantial quantities of shabu off the streets, we have disrupted the supply chain and protected countless families from its harmful effects." The operations are part of an intelligence-driven strategy aimed at dismantling drug networks in the region.
Details of the Arrests and Seizures
The largest seizure occurred at 6:56 p.m. in Barangay Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo District, where police apprehended two individuals identified as alias Tol, 37, from Barangay 7, San Miguel, and alias Bords, 41, from Barangay Calajuan, Mandurriao District. During this operation, authorities recovered six sachets and two plastic bags containing 180 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of P1,224,000, along with buy-bust money used in the sting.
This operation was spearheaded by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, with crucial support from the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 6, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit (Pdeg-SOU) 6, and Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 6 under the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo).
In a separate incident in Barangay Compania Central, Molo District, police arrested alias Jomar, 25, of Barangay Rizal, La Paz District. From this operation, 16 heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu weighing 80 grams, valued at P544,000, were confiscated, in addition to buy-bust money. The RPDEU 6 led this effort with assistance from RIU 6, Pdeg-SOU 6, and ICPS 4 under Icpo.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Campaign
All three suspects are currently in police custody and are set to face charges for violations of Sections 5, 11, and 26 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. These sections pertain to the sale, possession, and conspiracy to commit illegal drug activities, highlighting the serious nature of the offenses.
The operations underscore PRO 6's commitment to targeting high-value drug personalities through meticulous planning and inter-agency collaboration. As part of a broader regional initiative, these efforts aim to curb the flow of illegal substances and enhance public security in Iloilo and surrounding areas.
