By Jennifer P. Rendon
A former police informant became the target of an anti-narcotics operation just before midnight on October 30.
John Rey Jaca, 33, of Barangay Bontoc, Lambunao, Iloilo, was arrested in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Magbato, Lambunao.
Officers from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) 2, along with personnel from the Lambunao Municipal Police Station, apprehended Jaca after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP5,000.
Upon searching Jaca, police recovered five additional sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug-related items.
Major Dadje Delima, IPPO-PDEU chief, said the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 85 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP578,000.
Delima said Jaca had previously worked as a police informant, but authorities discovered he was involved in the illegal drug trade.
“We conducted a test buy and confirmed he was indeed pushing drugs,” Delima said.
Delima added that Jaca allegedly used his position as a police informant to front his illegal drug activities. Police believe he sourced his supply from a nearby town.
Jaca reportedly has no prior drug-related arrests.
He is currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
