BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS & RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – Two successful antidrug operations led to the confiscation of over P1.5 million worth of suspected shabu on June 7.
Around 9:20 p.m., 165 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1,122,000 were seized by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU-6) and Station Drug Enforcement Team of Molo police in Barangay North Baluarte, Molo.
The operation’s main target was Danmar G. Duremdes, 39, of Zone 1, Barangay North Baluarte. He was tagged by the police as a high-value suspect.
Also arrested were Maressa G. Duremdes, 61, of Zone 1 Barangay North Baluarte, and Gene G. Catalan, 47, of Barangay South Baluarte, Molo.
“Meron na tayong information kung saan ito kumukuha ng supply si Danmar. Hindi pa natin pwedeng sabihin sa ngayon, pero within Western Visayas,” said Police Majot Rommel Anicete, chief of RPDEU-6.
Earlier, around 7:30 p.m., P408,000 worth of suspected shabu and an unlicensed firearm were seized in Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz.
Suspect Jomare Porras, 32, of the place, was arrested for 60 grams of suspected shabu and a .38 revolver with four rounds of ammunition. He was also tagged as a high-value suspect.
Porras served jail time in 2014 for illegal drug charges before he was released through a plea bargain four years later.
“More than one month aton pag-surveillance sa iya kay tama ka segurista. Gina bagsak lang sang iya supplier ang droga halin sa Manila,” said Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., head of the IloIlo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit.
On the other hand, Police Regional Office 6 acting director Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor congratulated the police forces for intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs and loose firearms.
“Maganda at malaki ang kanilang accomplishments, sana ipagpatuloy nila ang magandang performance nila. We are really serious sa ating campaign against illegal drugs, and we will continue to run after high-value drug pushers,” Villaflor said./PN
