ILOILO City – The confiscation of the 1.2 kilos of suspected shabu valued at around P8.1 million in a recent drug buy-bust operation in Jaro district has a big impact on the supply of illegal drugs in Western Visayas, according to Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Brigadier General Leo Francisco.
“Malaki ang impact nang pagakakuha natin ng shabu kasi marami pang tao ang masisira nun. Mabuti na lang nahuli natin sila at nakuha ang dala nila,” Francisco said.
On Monday, March 27, Estrelita “Madam Ester” Bueno, 68, widow and a resident of Novaliches, Quezon City, and Noe Llagas Jr., 27, a resident of Barangay Ungka, Jaro, were arrested in Zone 6, Barangay Buhang, Jaro.
They were charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police Major Rommel Anicete, PRO-6’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) chief, said Bueno got her supply at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
“We received information na kumukuha siya ng stock niya sa New Bilibid Prison kasi may anak siya doon na nakakulong for illegal drugs din. May kaso rin siya sa Manila na snatching,” Anicete said.
He added they are also investigating if Bueno has a companion in delivering illegal drugs.
Bueno, meanwhile, told the police she had no idea what were inside her package and she was just paid for P7,000 for her labor.
“Tina-transport dito ‘yong stocks sa Iloilo via bus na nandiyan sa Batangas port. Tapos isasakay ng ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessel papuntang Caticlan, tapos sasakay naman papuntang Aklan or Iloilo,” said Anicete.
He added: “Maraming beses na si Bueno nakapunta dito (from Luzon area) pero hindi natin mahuli kasi hindi tumatagal dito. Pagkatapos na ibigay ang droga kay Llagas, aalis agad siya at si Llagas na lang bahala mag-dispose, that’s their modus operandi.”/PN
