Iloilo Police Nab Four High-Value Suspects in Major Drug Busts
In a significant crackdown on illegal narcotics, operatives from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 in Western Visayas have arrested four high-value individuals and seized approximately 359.26 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P2,442,968. The separate buy-bust operations were conducted in the towns of Estancia and Lambunao, Iloilo, on March 4 and 5, 2026, marking a critical victory in the ongoing anti-drug campaign.
Estancia Operation Leads to Arrests and Firearm Recovery
The first operation unfolded at 1:12 a.m. on March 5 in Barangay Tabu-an, Estancia, where personnel from the Estancia Municipal Police Station apprehended two suspects. Identified as alias Cabug, a 48-year-old driver from Barangay Balanti-an, Balasan, and alias Jury, a 37-year-old resident of Barangay Benedicto, Jaro District, Iloilo City, both individuals are classified as high-value targets in the drug trade.
During the sting, the suspects sold suspected shabu to an undercover police operative. Authorities recovered nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing 174.26 grams of the illicit substance, valued at P1,184,968. In addition to the drugs, officers confiscated the marked money used in the transaction and a homemade break-type pistol loaded with two live rounds, highlighting the dangerous nature of the operation.
Lambunao Sting Nets Two More Suspects
In a separate operation on March 4 at 3:50 p.m., Lambunao Municipal Police Station operatives arrested two additional high-value individuals in Barangay Tranghawan, Lambunao. The suspects include alias Justine, a 17-year-old student from Barangay Caguisanan, Lambunao, and alias Mark, a 20-year-old from Barangay Tigbayog, Calinog.
Police seized six sachets of suspected shabu weighing 185 grams, with an estimated value of P1,258,000. These arrests resulted from sustained intelligence monitoring and valuable community information, underscoring the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and local residents to combat drug-related activities.
Police Leadership Commends Efforts and Issues Warning
Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, director of PRO 6, praised the units involved in the operations and reiterated the force's unwavering stance against illegal drugs. "These successful operations reflect our intensified and intelligence-driven campaign against illegal drugs in Western Visayas," Ligan stated. "We will remain relentless in targeting high-value individuals who continue to poison our communities. Let this serve as a strong warning that PRO 6 will not waver in its mandate to enforce the law and protect our people."
The suspects are currently in police custody, and the seized items have been submitted for laboratory examination to confirm the substance and gather further evidence. Authorities are preparing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which could lead to severe penalties upon conviction.
Ongoing Anti-Drug Campaign in Western Visayas
These operations are part of a broader anti-drug initiative by PRO 6, aligned with National Government efforts to curb drug distribution and enhance public safety across the region. The successful busts demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community engagement in disrupting drug networks.
As the campaign continues, police urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, reinforcing the collective responsibility in the fight against illegal drugs. The recent arrests send a clear message that law enforcement agencies are committed to dismantling drug operations and holding perpetrators accountable.
