A casual employee of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) was arrested after yielding more than P800,000 worth of suspected shabu during an anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Balabag, Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
The suspect, identified only by the aliases “Wax” and “Bax,” 54, and a resident of the same barangay, is classified by the police as a high-value individual (HVI).
Operatives from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Team 1, backed by the Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit, conducted the buy-bust operation at approximately 7:43 p.m. on Monday, May 20.
Seized from the suspect’s possession were five sachets containing an estimated 120 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P816,000.
Authorities also recovered the buy-bust money and other non-drug items.
Police Regional Office (PRO-6) director Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan praised the successful operation, emphasizing the region’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
“Operations like this reflect our unwavering commitment to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs in Western Visayas,” he said.
“We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-driven operations and partnerships with the community to ensure that individuals involved in the illegal drug trade are held accountable under the law,” Ligan continued.
The suspect is currently detained and will face charges for violating Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The charges carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment and significant fines. IMT
