By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two individuals were arrested in a police anti-illegal drugs operation shortly after midnight on October 16 in Janiuay, Iloilo.
Jose Hembra, 41, of Barangay Don T. Lutero West, Janiuay, and Arnold Latigo, 42, a taxi driver from Barangay Aguingay, Janiuay, were apprehended during a buy-bust operation in Don T. Lutero West.
Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) Team 2, in coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 6 and Janiuay Municipal Police Station, arrested the suspects after they sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 7,100.
Upon frisking, police found three more sachets of suspected shabu and other non-drug items.
Major Dadje Delima, IPPO-PDEU chief, stated that the seized drugs weighed approximately 125 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 875,000.
Neither suspect has a prior drug-related arrest. However, Hembra was classified as a high-value individual in the drug trade due to his previous employment at the Janiuay municipal hall.
Delima revealed that Hembra had been dismissed from his job after failing a drug test.
Latigo, who has a past criminal arrest, had managed to settle his previous case.
Hembra allegedly used Latigo’s taxi to distribute drugs in the third and fourth districts of Iloilo.
The two had been under surveillance for several months due to reports of their involvement in illegal drug activities.
Both suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
