By Jennifer P. Rendon
Five suspects believed to be members of a network of illegal drug peddlers were arrested in three police anti-narcotics operations on Tuesday.
Four of the five suspects are women, three of whom were nabbed for possessing P660,000 worth of illegal drugs.
For the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), the arrest of the suspects might put an end to a drug network operating in Pavia and Sta. Barbara and neighboring municipalities.
The first anti-illegal operation was conducted at Roosevelt Street, Barangay Zone 3, Santa Barabara around 3:15 p.m.
It resulted in the arrest of Mae Napat, 26, a resident of Barangay Solido, Nabas, Aklan
Napat allegedly sold two sachets of suspected shabu to a police undercover agent for P6,000.
Recovered from her possession were P60 in coins, a P20 bill, a mobile phone, plastic sachet containing nine violet tablets, and brown leather wallet.
Almost two hours later, joint operatives of Santa Barbara and Pavia police stations arrested Rosemay Balinas, 42; Jennifer Soldevilla, 39;.and Noemi Vargas, 27, all residents of Taft Street, Barangay Zone IV, Santa Barbara.
Recovered from their possession were 11 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 66 grams with market value of P660,000.
Police also recovered the P10,000 marked money, a mobile phone, a black bag, a white pouch, assorted money transfer receipts, a digital weighing scale, and a cellphone box.
At 7:15 p.m., police busted Elmer Minguillo, 44, of Barangay Balabag, Pavia.
Recovered from his possession were five sachets of suspected shabu with a street value of P12,000, P1,200 marked money, and an empty plastic sachet.
Major Jojo Tabaloc, Pavia police chief, said Napat, Balinas, and Minguillo have previous records on illegal drugs but they were released after plea bargaining.
“Nagkitaay ni sila sa prisohan kag nag-establish sang network for illegal drug trade pagkaguwa nila sa prisohan,” he said.
He also said that the arrest of these suspects would have a big impact in the province’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
Meanwhile, Iloilo top cop, Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, lauded the Pavia and Santa Barbara police stations and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit for their unwavering effort in the war against illegal drugs.
He also warned drug peddlers that they would further intensify their anti-illegal drugs campaign.
