By Jennifer P. Rendon
A laborer was arrested during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Oton, Iloilo, early morning of April 2.
Alias “Jay-R,” 44, a resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Arevalo, Iloilo City, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Nicolas, Oton.
Members of the Oton Municipal Police Station, along with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) Team 1 and the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, conducted the sting.
Jay-R was caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP15,500.
Upon frisking, police recovered two knot-tied plastic packs and four additional sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, and several non-drug items.
The seized drugs weighed approximately 100 grams and had an estimated street value of PHP680,000.
The operation followed two weeks of surveillance prompted by reports of Jay-R’s alleged involvement in illegal drug activities in Oton.
Reports indicated that the suspect sourced his supply from Iloilo City.
Jay-R is currently in the custody of the Oton police and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.