A 36-year-old sari-sari store owner was arrested after yielding more than P1 million worth of suspected shabu during a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, early Wednesday morning, April 22.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Harry,” is classified by authorities as a high-value individual (HVI). He yielded approximately 160 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P1,088,000.
The inventory of seized items included one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet (buy-bust item), 20 additional heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, and one knot-tied transparent plastic bag containing suspected shabu.
The suspect had previously been arrested for a similar offense and was released through a plea bargaining agreement, according to Police Captain Roque Gimeno III, head of the Iloilo City Police Office’ (ICPO) City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU).
Bolilao Punong Barangay Jean Pojol said Harry’s wife, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who returned to the city just five months ago to retire and spend time with her family, put up a sari-sari store to supposedly help her husband steer away from illegal activities.
The village chief urged his contituents to avoid using and selling illegal drugs, emphasizing that such activities bring nothing but harm to the community and ruin themeselves and their own families.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.IMT
