BY MAI LADIAO
ILOILO City – Two police operations in this city resulted in the seizure of an estimated P2.6 million of suspected shabu and unlicensed firearms on Tuesday, April 9.
In Barangay Ticud, La Paz district, more or less 60 grams of the illegal substance, with a standard drug price of P408,000 and an estimated street value of P1,200,000, were recovered.
Apprehended was Rex “Garok” Japitana, 46, a resident of Barangay Baldoza in the same district who had ties in Barangay Ticud.
The suspect was also caught in possession of a homemade 12-gauge shotgun without ammunition.
According to the authorities, Japitana was allegedly the supplier to another drug suspect arrested in Barangay Ingore, La Paz last week.
Upon receiving intelligence reports, the Station Drug Enforcement Team of La Paz Police Station carried out a drug bust at around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a separate police operation in Barangay Veterans Village, City Proper district, yielded 20 sachets of suspected shabu, a homemade 12-gauge shotgun, and four rounds of ammunition.
The operation around 12:30 p.m. yesterday targeted Salvador “Karabaw” Delos Santos, 53, and tagged as a high-value suspect. He was also a tokhang surrenderee.
His two companions, Norel Tabares and Venancio Desoy, were also collared.
The illegal substance seized weighed more or less 70 grams and had a standard price of P476,000 but could sell for as much as P1,400,000.
The suspects are now detained and will face charges for violations of Republic Act 10591, or illegal possession of firearms, and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
