By Jennifer P. Rendon
Illegal drugs and an unlicensed firearm were seized during a police search operation in Calinog, Iloilo morning of June 9.
Police swooped down on the house of 24-year-old Rogelio Legaspi Jr. at Barangay Camalonggo, Calinog following reports that he was into the illegal drug trade and was possessing an unlicensed gun.
Members of Calinog Municipal Police Station led the search and seizure operation authorized by Search Warrant No. 23-20 for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Search Warrant No. 23-21 for violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
Executive Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of the Regional Trial Court Branch 76 in Janiuay, Iloilo issued both search warrants on June 8, 2023.
After scouring Legaspi’s house, police seized 14 plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 70 grams and valued at P560,000.
Also recovered were a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with three ammunitions, a mobile phone, and four disposable lighters.
Major Myles Dieron, Calinog police chief, said that Friday’s arrest is a first for Legaspi.
He was not subjected to Oplan Tokhang or had been involved in other infractions.
A few months ago, police monitored that Legaspi was engaged in the illegal drug trade in an on-and-off manner.
Instead of doing a buy-bust, police resorted to a search and seizure operation to sweep the suspect’s drug supply.
“If we do a buy-bust, he will just carry the volume that you order. He left the other supply at home,” Dieron said.
Legaspi has been silent and didn’t give any information to police authorities about his source.
He keeps on wailing sans the tears, Dieron noted.
Legaspi is now detained and will be charged for violations of RA 9165 and RA 10591.
