By Jennifer P. Rendon
A suspected drug peddler in Carles, Iloilo was apprehended with an illicit haul valued at over a million pesos in the early hours of March 8.
Peter John Menguis, a 25-year-old from Barangay Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo, was detained after a buy-bust operation in Guinticgan village, Carles at approximately 2:03 a.m. on Friday.
The Carles Municipal Station and supporting police units arrested Menguis following his sale of a sachet of suspected shabu for P7,000 to an undercover officer.
In his possession, officers found a knotted plastic pack containing 21 sachets of suspected shabu, a red Suzuki Raider motorcycle, and various non-drug related items.
The confiscated drugs weigh roughly 160 grams, with an estimated value of P1.088 million.
Menguis is currently in custody and faces charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Major Rolando Araño, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) spokesperson, said the suspect was arrested after two-week surveillance operation.
He suggested that Menguis procured his narcotics from a source in Iloilo City.
Araño remarked on the recent uptick in substantial drug seizures in northern Iloilo, saying that these dealers might obtain their supplies from Metro Manila.
According to him, such supplies often reach Roxas City, Capiz via Roll on-Roll Off vehicles, and suppliers in the northern towns of Iloilo then collect their stock from Roxas City due to its closer proximity compared to Iloilo City.
He observed that while there might not be a coordinated group dominating the trade, it appears to be open for independent operators.
