The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) is investigating the source and distribution of liquid marijuana sold in vape cartridges following the seizure of the substance during an anti-drug operation in Molo, Iloilo City.
PRO-6 Director Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said he had directed the Regional Intelligence Division to pursue the investigation beyond the arrest of the suspect to determine where the illegal substances originated and how they entered Western Visayas.
Tuaño said the case was the first of its kind recorded during his administration.
On Sept. 21, operatives of Iloilo City Police Station 4 in Molo, led by Police Capt. Ryan Christ Inot, recovered 84 grams of dried marijuana, four kush items and three vape cartridges containing liquid marijuana.
The operation resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old former student identified by the police as alias “Jan2,” whom authorities classified as a high-value individual.
Police said the suspect was allegedly operating five dummy social media accounts to sell marijuana and was conducting transactions in Iloilo City and the province, with students identified as among his target customers.
Investigators said the suspect allegedly advertised the products through dummy accounts and required prospective buyers to create their own dummy accounts before joining group chats where transactions were arranged.
Police believe the activity may have been ongoing for some time and are investigating whether other individuals are involved in the online sale of marijuana, including liquid marijuana intended for vape devices.
PRO-6 said the investigation is continuing to trace the supply chain and determine the extent of the alleged distribution network.IMT
