BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) confiscated nearly P2 million worth of suspected illegal drugs in two separate operations conducted within a five-hour span.
The first operation took place on October 15 at around 7:30 p.m. in Barangay Malusgod, Pototan town.
The Pototan Municipal Police Station’s Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) apprehended two high-value targets, identified as “Ian”, 40, a laborer from Barangay Zarrague, Pototan, and “Bob”, 28, also from the same barangay.
Police recovered around 150 grams of suspected shabu valued at approximately P1.02 million. A .22 caliber revolver was also seized from the suspects.
Just after midnight on October 16, another operation was carried out in Barangay Don T. Lutero West, Janiuay. The Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the IPPO arrested two more suspects: “Joe”, 41, a jobless resident of Janiuay, and “Nhold”, 42, a taxi driver from the same town.
Authorities confiscated about 125 grams of suspected shabu, estimated to be worth P875,000.
Iloilo police director, Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, credited the success of the operations to the active involvement of the community in reporting suspicious activities.
“The cooperation from our citizens has been invaluable. Their vigilance and willingness to provide information are crucial in our fight against illegal drugs,” Razalan said.
The operations were part of the IPPO’s ongoing campaign to curb illegal drug activities in the province, focusing on both enforcement and preventive measures, including community education programs aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drug use./PN
