By Jennifer P. Rendon
Three individuals were arrested during an anti-drug operation on the evening of Oct. 29 in Jaro, Iloilo City.
The suspects were identified as Hyder, 24; his live-in partner, 22-year-old Sharei Mae; and Hyder’s cousin, 30-year-old Anton, all residents of Barangay Bito-on, Jaro district.
The Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), in coordination with Iloilo City Police Station 9, the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Iloilo Provincial Office, apprehended the suspects after they allegedly attempted to sell a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 24,000.
Authorities reported confiscating four additional sachets and four knot-tied plastic packs of suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.
Captain Ryan Christ Inot, CDEU team leader, said the seized drugs weighed approximately 400 grams and were valued at PHP 2,720,000.
Hyder was reportedly the primary target of the operation, though all three suspects are considered high-value drug personalities.
Both Hyder and Anton were previously arrested for drug-related charges in 2019 and were released three years later.
During their time at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), the suspects reportedly became members of the Happy Go Lucky Gang.
Inot noted that the suspects were listed as illegal drug personalities by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
“They were warned by barangay officials seven times,” Inot added.
Residents raised concerns after the couple allegedly involved their foster children, aged 8 and 12, in drug deliveries.
Sources indicated that the suspects obtained their drug supply from contacts at NBP, with Sharei Mae tasked with retrieving it from the bus terminal in Jaro district.
The suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.