Operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, led by Police Major Dadje B. Delima, arrested a high-value individual and seized about 180 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,224,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Naslo, Pototan, Iloilo at about 5:15 p.m. on April 25, 2026.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, provincial director of the Ippo, lauded the operating team for the successful operation, stating that the arrest is proof that the police are continuously monitoring individuals involved in illegal drug activities in the province. He called for collective efforts to protect the province against dangerous drugs.
The suspect, identified as alias Negro, 33, male, a tricycle driver with a live-in partner, is a resident of Sitio New Site, Barangay Naslo, Pototan, Iloilo. Authorities said the suspect had been under surveillance for nearly two weeks following information from a concerned citizen regarding his alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
Investigators reported that the suspect allegedly sourced illegal drugs from Iloilo City and distributed them in Pototan and nearby areas. The operation was conducted after validation confirmed the suspect's alleged role in the local drug trade.
The arrested individual is now under the custody of the Pototan Municipal Police Station and faces charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Ippo reiterated its intensified campaign against illegal drugs, emphasizing sustained monitoring and operations targeting high-value individuals across the province. Authorities said the latest arrest underscores continued efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs and ensure community safety.
