By Jennifer P. Rendon
An ex-convict was arrested with over PHP1 million worth of suspected shabu in a police anti-drug operation on the afternoon of April 23 in Concepcion, Iloilo.
Alias Edgar, 55, was arrested at his home in Barangay Bakhawan Sur, Concepcion.
Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) Team 2, along with personnel from the IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Maritime Unit 6, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Concepcion Municipal Police Station, conducted the buy-bust operation.
Aside from the sachet of suspected shabu sold during the operation, police also recovered two knot-tied plastic packs and 12 additional sachets of suspected shabu.
Major Dadje Delima, IPPO-PDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 160 grams with a standard drug price of PHP1,088,000.
Reports showed that the suspect was previously arrested for a drug-related offense in 2019.
He was imprisoned at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan and was released last year.
More than two months ago, Edgar was reportedly monitored returning to the illegal drug trade.
Delima said the suspect acquired a large supply of illegal drugs for distribution during the Tampisaw Festival in the town.
He allegedly sourced his supply from Metro Manila.
He also reportedly worked as a carpenter and once served as a bodyguard for a political family in Iloilo’s 5th District.
The suspect is now in police custody and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
