BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A buy-bust operation early yesterday morning led to the arrest of a high-value individual (HVI) and two minors and seizure of approximately 130 grams of suspected shabu valued at around P884,000.
Police Station 9 (PS9) operatives led by station commander Major Eduardo Siacon Jr. carried out the operation at around 5:10 a.m. in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro district.
Siacon identified the primary suspect as Varie Panes Labiogo, 19, and a resident of Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro. The apprehended minors, a 16-year-old male from Barangay Sooc, Arevalo district and a 14-year-old female from Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper district, were reportedly involved in the illegal drug operation as accomplices.
Siacon added that during the operation using body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and evidence capture throughout the procedure, they recovered the following:
* seven plastic sachets and one knot-tied plastic bag containing suspected shabu;
*one heat-sealed plastic sachet of suspected shabu as the buy-bust item; and
* P30,000 in marked money.
“We recognized the continuing effort of the Iloilo City Police Office in the campaign against illegal drugs. Also, our sincere appreciation to the support and commitment of the community and the other law enforcement agencies in this fight,” said Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office 6.
The suspects are now under police custody for proper disposition./PN
