Police operatives arrested a high-value individual (HVI) and seized approximately 385 grams of shabu valued at around P2.6 million during an anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Malayuan, Ajuy, Iloilo, on May 25, 2026, at 2:04 p.m.
Operation details
The suspect, identified only as alias Pano, 46, a driver and resident of Ajuy, was arrested in a buy-bust conducted by the Ajuy Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) Team 3 of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo). Authorities said the operation resulted from over a month of intelligence monitoring and case build-up, with concerned citizens providing information about the suspect's alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
Recovered from the suspect were one heat-sealed plastic sachet and eight knot-tied plastic sachets containing shabu weighing roughly 385 grams, with an estimated street value of P2,618,000. Operatives also confiscated marked money used in the operation and other evidence for filing charges.
Official statement
Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, acting director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), commended the operating units for the successful operation. He emphasized the continuing campaign against illegal drugs in the region.
“The arrest of this high-value individual is the result of sustained intelligence operations, proper case build-up, and the active support of the community. This accomplishment reflects our firm commitment to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs and ensure that offenders are held accountable under the law. I commend the operating units for their vigilance, dedication, and commitment to duty,” Tuaño said.
Legal proceedings
The seized drugs will undergo laboratory examination, while the suspect remains in police custody pending the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The PRO 6 stated that the operation is part of the intensified anti-illegal drug campaign across the region to dismantle drug networks and apprehend individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. Authorities reiterated their call for public cooperation in reporting illegal activities, stressing that information from residents greatly contributes to the success of police operations.
Police officials said intelligence-driven operations and close coordination among police units remain vital in sustaining the campaign against illegal drugs in Western Visayas. The Ippo assured the public that it will continue operations against HVIs and other drug personalities to maintain peace and order and ensure safer communities.
