By Jennifer P. Rendon
Nearly P1 million worth of shabu was seized in two separate anti-drug operations in Pavia, Iloilo, on September 9.
Police identified the suspects as Gemark Umadhay, 34, of Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City, and a 45-year-old nursing attendant known as alias Alog, from Purok 1, Pavia.
Umadhay was arrested around 12:33 a.m. on Monday in Barangay Pagsanga-an, Pavia. Officers from the Pavia Municipal Police Station apprehended the suspect after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P7,000.
Police recovered eight more sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug-related items from Umadhay.
Major Dadje Delima, Pavia police chief, said the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 65 grams and had a standard street value of P442,000.
In a separate operation, police arrested alias Alog around 11:05 a.m. in Barangay Mali-ao, Pavia. Authorities seized 72 grams of suspected shabu valued at P489,600.
Delima said both suspects were apprehended following tip-offs from confidential informants. Neither Umadhay nor Alog had any prior drug-related arrests.
The two suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Notably, another drug suspect was arrested in Pavia on September 5. Ronnie Dubrea Jr., 29, of Barangay Lanit, Jaro, was caught with around 68 grams of suspected shabu worth P462,400.
