ILOILO — A 24-year-old alleged high-value individual (HVI) was arrested after police seized around 75 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P510,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion A, Dueñas, Iloilo, on August 26.
Police identified the suspect only as alias “Josh,” a laborer and resident of Pototan, Iloilo.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Dueñas Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with the Iloilo Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) Team 1, at around 7:35 p.m.
Police said the operation followed a series of intelligence validation, surveillance and target profiling activities.
The suspect was arrested after he allegedly sold one sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer.
Authorities reportedly recovered three sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money and other non-drug items from the suspect.
Police Regional Office 6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño commended the personnel of the Dueñas MPS and Iloilo PDEU Team 1 for the successful operation.
Tuaño said every successful anti-illegal drug operation helps prevent illegal drugs from reaching communities and potentially harming individuals and families.
He also emphasized that the operation was the result of intelligence work, validation and coordination among police units.
PRO 6 said it would continue to intensify intelligence-driven and coordinated anti-illegal drug operations across Western Visayas in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies.
The regional police office also urged the public to continue providing information about suspicious activities and individuals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Authorities did not immediately provide details on the charges to be filed against the suspect./PN
