By Xander Ledesma
Authorities seized an estimated PHP4.08 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested three suspects on Thursday in what has been described as the city’s largest anti-drug operation so far this year. The buy-bust, conducted by the City Drugs Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), took place in a vacant lot in Barangay Balabago around 5 p.m., leading to an armed confrontation in which one suspect was injured.
Investigators identified the primary target only as “Lucky,” aged 29, who allegedly attempted to shoot a police poseur-buyer. The suspect sustained a minor gunshot wound on his left hand, fled in his vehicle, and later sought medical treatment in Jaro district, where he was arrested. ICPO Director Col. Kim Legada said the suspect had a prior record with the Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit (RDEU) in a similar buy-bust operation in 2019.
The other two suspects—one aged 34 and working at a call center, known by the alias “Jesus,” and the other, a 25-year-old jobless resident nicknamed “Berna”—were also apprehended. Police reported recovering approximately 600 grams of suspected shabu, a .45 caliber pistol, and various items used in the illegal drug trade, including five sachets of suspected shabu and 10 transparent plastic bags containing the substance. The seized evidence was submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit 6 for examination.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas commended the police for the successful outcome of the operation, emphasizing the importance of proactive law enforcement, especially with the Dinagyang Festival approaching. The ICPO likewise reaffirmed its commitment to heightened vigilance to prevent the infiltration of illegal drugs and ensure public safety during major events.