BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS, RUBY P. SILUBRICO & GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO City – Around P8.160 million worth of suspected shabu – the biggest seizure of illegal drugs in Western Visayas so far this year – was recovered from an alleged drug courier and her suspected local contact in a drug buy-bust operation in Zone 6, Barangay Buhang, Jaro district around 2 p.m. yesterday.
The suspects were Estrelita “Madam Ester” Bueno, 68, widow and a resident of Novaliches, Quezon City, and Noe Llagas Jr., 27, a resident of Barangay Ungka, Jaro.
Bueno was a high-value and regional priority suspect, said Police Major Romel Anecete, chief of the Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO-6) Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) that spearheaded the operation.
“The RDEU asset transacted with Llagas to buy P72,000 worth of shabu. Pero kulang ang items niya kaya inireto niya kami kay Bueno who just arrived from Manila,” Anecete said.
A total of 12 big knots of suspected shabu weighing 1.2 kilograms and valued at around P8.1 million were seized from the suspects.
“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 Anecete.
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.”
The suspects were detained at the Jaro police station, facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas commended the successful anti-illegal drug operation carried out by the RDEU, PRO-6’s Regional Intelligence Unit, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), Aklan Police Provincial Office, and other regional police units, with coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6.
“I am very happy with the continued operations of the PNP (Philippine National Police) against illegal drugs. The joint operation of the regional and city PNP has produced the desired results for our city,” said Treñas.
The city mayor specifically commended the ICPO under Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica.
Treñas urged everyone to do their share to ensure that this southern city continues to also do its share in the fight against illegal drugs./PN
