ILOILO – Over the past two months various police units under the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) have arrested 101 individuals and confiscated P16 million worth of shabu.
Under Colonel Bayani Razalan, officer-in-charge of the IPPO, intensified operations have focused on curbing illegal drugs, apprehending wanted persons, and tackling issues such as illegal fishing, unlicensed firearms, and illegal gambling.
“We will not stop our campaign against illegal activities in Iloilo province, especially against illegal drugs. I often told my men to continue hunting drug peddlers and put them behind bars,” Razalan told Panay News.
In addition to drug-related arrests, IPPO also made significant inroads against other crimes. The office has captured 215 fugitives, including 46 who were among the most wanted at the regional and municipal levels.
Furthermore, 56 individuals were detained for illegal fishing activities during 15 separate operations.
The crackdown also resulted in the arrest of 28 individuals for possessing unlicensed firearms, with authorities seizing 34 firearms and seven explosives.
Meanwhile, in operations against illegal gambling, 53 persons were apprehended in 21 raids.
Highlighting the significant drug seizures, officials pointed out that between April 19 and May 19, 47 drug peddlers were taken into custody in 41 operations, resulting in the seizure of P10.1 million worth of shabu.
On a single day, June 11, police seized 704 grams of shabu, valued at approximately P4.8 million, from suspect Michael Miranda Bañes during an operation in Barangay Lawis, Balasan, Iloilo. Another operation in Pavia town resulted in the confiscation of half a million pesos worth of shabu.
“Expect more operations to be conducted and more drug peddlers to be arrested if they don’t cease their illegal activities,” Razalan said./PN
