Woman arrested with P5.5 million worth of suspected shabu

Over 800 grams of suspected shabu worth more than P5 million was seized in a buy-bust in Estancia, Iloilo on Wednesday. (IPPO-PDEU photo)

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 44-year-old woman, long under police surveillance, was apprehended during an anti-drug operation on the evening of February 28 in Estancia, Iloilo. Jorene Boledo was taken into custody at her residence in Barangay Daan Banwa, Estancia.

The operation was a joint effort by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) and the Estancia Municipal Police Station. Boledo was detained following the sale of a sachet of suspected shabu valued at P1,000.

The arrest led to the discovery of 13 large and five small sachets of suspected shabu, along with various non-drug related items. The confiscated drugs, amounting to approximately 810 grams, are valued at a standard drug price of P5,508,000.

Major Rolando Araño, spokesperson for the IPPO, noted that Boledo had been identified as a significant drug personality on the province’s watchlist. She had been under scrutiny for allegedly distributing illegal drugs in Estancia and the surrounding areas since the previous year.

It is alleged that Boledo obtained her supplies from a shabu distributor located in Roxas City, Capiz.

Boledo is currently in custody and faces charges under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).