By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) scored another success in its campaign against illegal drugs with the arrest of a kargador (market porter) during an anti-narcotics operation on the evening of Nov. 27 in Molo, Iloilo City.
Lemuel Hermano, alias “Bulldog,” 38, of Barangay Rizal Pala Pala II, City Proper, Iloilo City, was apprehended in a buy-bust operation at Barangay West Timawa, Molo.
Members of the ICPO-City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), in coordination with Iloilo City Police Station 4 and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, arrested Hermano after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 15,000.
Upon frisking, authorities seized four knot-tied bags and nine sachets of suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.
Captain Ryan Christ Inot, CDEU team leader, said the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 500 grams with an estimated street value of PHP 3.4 million.
Inot revealed that Hermano had been under surveillance for three weeks prior to his arrest. The suspect allegedly sourced the illegal drugs from an inmate at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) known as alias “Asylng.”
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas praised the ICPO for its proactive efforts, including the arrest of Hermano and two other drug personalities.
“These arrests prevented nearly a kilo of illegal drugs, valued at PHP 5.3 million, from entering the market. Such efforts protect countless Ilonggo families from the destructive impact of illegal drugs,” Treñas said.
He commended the ICPO for its dedication to stopping the proliferation of illegal substances and safeguarding the community.
