ILOILO – Two tricycle drivers were apprehended in an antidrug operation conducted yesterday morning in Barangay Balabag, Pavia town.
The suspects, identified by their aliases “Tibong” and “Nonoy”, were both residents of Barangay Balabag and tricycle drivers. They were taken into custody at the Pavia police station.
According to Pavia police chief Major Dadje Delima, the operation followed three months of surveillance and negotiation.
“We finally arranged a meeting at 12:05 a.m. with the suspects, who agreed to sell P7,000 worth of shabu to a police asset posing as a buyer,” said Delima.
During the operation, police recovered 80 grams of shabu valued at P544,000.
The suspects confessed to selling large quantities of shabu, which they sourced from a certain Nonoy who they said was a resident of Barangay Desamparados, Jaro, Iloilo City.
“We had to use various strategies, including multiple assets, to successfully apprehend them,” said Delima. “They are known to operate in the towns of Pavia and Oton.”
The suspects were also listed as drug pushers by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) of Balabag.
Iloilo Police Provincial Office officer-in-charge Colonel Bayani Razalan commended the Pavia police force.
“Your relentless drive to eliminate illegal drugs in your area is highly commendable. I am also grateful for the support of the Ilonggos in our campaign against illegal drugs,” said Razalan.
The suspects will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
