By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) made another significant arrest in its fight against illegal drugs following a successful anti-narcotics operation on the evening of October 17 in Jaro, Iloilo City.
Police apprehended Michael Anfernee Pancrudo, 30, of Barangay Bitoon, Jaro, an ex-convict, who was found in possession of over ₱8 million worth of suspected shabu.
Pancrudo was arrested at his rented place on C1 Road, Barangay Tacas, Jaro, by the ICPO City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6.
The arrest followed a buy-bust operation in which Pancrudo sold a sachet of suspected shabu for ₱55,000.
Captain Ryan Christ Inot, CDEU team leader, said officers initially seized around one kilogram of shabu valued at ₱6.8 million from Pancrudo.
However, Pancrudo later revealed he had more drugs hidden in his rented room.
“We did not conduct a search, but instead asked his cousin and roommate, 24-year-old Hyder, to check for the shabu,” Inot explained.
Hyder, who cooperated with authorities, turned over 33 sachets and two knot-tied plastic packs of suspected shabu weighing 220 grams and valued at ₱1,496,000.
Inot clarified that Hyder was not involved in Pancrudo’s illegal activities.
Authorities noted that Pancrudo was previously arrested for a drug-related offense in 2015 but had served his sentence.
This year alone, Pancrudo’s three brothers were also arrested in separate anti-drug operations.
According to reports, Pancrudo sourced his drug supply from Metro Manila, with his area of operations covering Iloilo City and the province of Iloilo.
Pancrudo is currently detained and faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
