By Jennifer P. Rendon
Almost P2 million worth of suspected shabu were seized in two drug busts in Iloilo City since Sunday.
On Monday afternoon nine persons were arrested in Jaro, Iloilo City.
Police identified three of the suspects as Bobo Pedrajas, 30; Kim Obapial, 29; and Rolando Obapial Jr., 49, all residents of Barangay Desamparados, where the drug bust was mounted.
They are the targets of the operation initiated by the members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), together with the Iloilo City Police Station 3 and CGIG – Western Visayas.
Also arrested were Rodson Obapial, 51; Julius Pedrajas, 21; Fred Banesio, 39; Romeo Parreño, 23; and Joery Miranda, 47. They are also residents of Barangay Desamparados.
Police also collared Carlo Emano, 35, of Barangay Montinola, Jaro.
The first three suspects allegedly connived in selling two sachets of suspected shabu for P12,000.
Following their arrest, police recovered 16 sachets and two knot-toed plastic sachets of suspected shabu, a black pouch, a weighing scale, and several drug paraphernalia.
Captain Roque Gimeno III, CDEU team leader said they seized 150 grams of shabu valued at P1,020,000.
Police records indicated that Bobo Pedrajas and Kim Obapial were also arrested for drug-related charges, but the case against them was dismissed.
The duo, together with Rolando Obapial Jr., would be charged with selling and possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
Gimeno said the six other suspects would be charged after they were caught in a pot session.
On Sunday, another person involved in drugs and his alleged accomplice were arrested in another police anti-narcotics drug operation afternoon of September 17 in Molo district.
Police identified the suspects as Noel Arcenal, 34, of Zone 5, Barangay Boulevard, Molo and Naldo Lauron, 45, of Zone 6, Barangay Boulevard.
Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, together with the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) and the Iloilo City Police Station 4, nabbed the suspects after they sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P10,500.
Operatives also recovered 15 more sachets and two knot-tied plastics of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, a belt bag, a roll of aluminum foil, and several non-drug items.
Captain Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 team leader, said the seized drugs weighed around 125 grams and were valued at P850,000.
Soliman said Arcenal, who works as a tricycle, was also charged for an illegal drug case. He was released after availing of the plea bargaining agreement.
On the other hand, Lauron allegedly worked for Arcenal.
He was caught repacking suspected drugs when police conducted the operation at Arcenal’s house.
Lauron had been jailed before but only for alarm and scandal.
The two suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
