By Jennifer P. Rendon
Three suspected drug personalities were arrested in separate police operations in Iloilo province on April 9, with authorities confiscating more than PHP1.1 million worth of suspected shabu.
Police identified the suspects as “Agoy,” 49, and his cousin “Pompom,” 36, both residents of Balasan, Iloilo, and “Ami,” 34, of Calinog town.
Agoy and Pompom were arrested in a buy-bust operation around 3:50 p.m. in Sitio Malbog, Barangay Tingui-an, Balasan.
Members of the Balasan Municipal Police Station caught the cousins with suspected shabu valued at PHP340,000.
Agoy, who is listed as a drug personality on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) watchlist, was the main target of the operation.
According to police, Agoy served as the drug distributor while Pompom acted as his runner.
Just 10 minutes later, members of the Calinog Municipal Police Station arrested Ami during another buy-bust operation in Barangay Canabajan, Calinog.
Police recovered nine sachets of suspected shabu weighing 120 grams and worth an estimated PHP816,000.
Authorities said Ami had been under surveillance since last year due to his alleged drug trade operations in Passi City and Pototan in Iloilo, and Dumarao in Capiz.
He reportedly sourced his supply from Iloilo City.
Police also noted Ami’s reputation for violent behavior and frequent altercations in his community, although he had no prior criminal record before his arrest.
“All three suspects are now in custody,” police said.
They will face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
These arrests are part of the ongoing efforts of the Iloilo police to curb the illegal drug trade across the province, in line with national directives to intensify anti-drug operations.
