BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Police seized more than P3 million worth of suspected shabu from a high-value drug suspect in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district around 7:55 a.m. yesterday, October 9.
The 34-year-old Ronaldo Pedrosa, a resident of the district’s Barangay Bolilao, was arrested by officers of the Iloilo City Police Station 10 (ICPS10) after he sold a plastic sachet of the said illegal drugs to a poseur buyer for P12,000.
Police confiscated a total of 450 grams of suspected shabu approximately valued at P3,060,000.
Also recovered were caliber .38 revolver with three live ammunition and non-drug-related items.
Captain Val Cambel, chief of ICPS10, said Pedrosa had been under surveillance for several weeks.
He added that the suspect was a repeat offender, having been previously arrested for drug-related offenses.
Pedrosa was detained at the ICPS10.
He is facing charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas lauded the ICPS10 for the successful operation.
“I commend the leadership of Captain Val Cambel, station commander of Iloilo City Police Station 10, and his assistant, Lieutenant Cosmeflor Marco Jr. Their efforts, under the supervision of Colonel Kim Legada, have resulted in this successful drug operation. Their dedication in protecting our city from the scourge of illegal drugs is truly commendable,” Mayor Treñas said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He added: “We stand with them in their mission to ensure a safer and drug-free Iloilo City. Rest assured, the Iloilo City Government will continue to support their initiatives to rid our city of illegal drugs and other criminal activities.”/PN
