Iloilo Government Employee Arrested in Major Drug Bust, P2.1M Shabu Seized
In a significant blow to the illegal drug trade in Western Visayas, a local government employee classified as a high-value individual was apprehended during a meticulously planned buy-bust operation. The arrest occurred on March 13, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m. in Barangay Buray, Oton, Iloilo, leading to the confiscation of a substantial quantity of suspected shabu valued at over two million pesos.
Suspect Identified as Municipal Environment Office Employee
Police authorities have identified the arrested individual as alias Scobe, a 46-year-old married resident of Barangay Buray, Oton. Notably, the suspect was employed at the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office under the Local Government Unit of Oton, highlighting the infiltration of illegal drug activities into public service sectors. The operation was executed by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, with crucial support from the Oton Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.
Intelligence-Driven Operation Yields Major Haul
The successful apprehension followed nearly two weeks of sustained intelligence monitoring, bolstered by vital information provided by concerned community members. During the operation, undercover officers acting as poseur-buyers engaged the suspect, who allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu, triggering his immediate arrest. Authorities recovered seven sachets containing approximately 320 grams of the suspected illegal substance, with an estimated standard drug price of P2,176,000. Additionally, police secured marked buy-bust money and several non-drug items believed to be connected to the illicit transaction.
Police Leadership Commends Operatives and Community Support
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, praised the operating units for their diligence and emphasized the critical role of community cooperation in anti-drug campaigns. "This successful operation demonstrates the importance of patience, sustained intelligence monitoring, and the invaluable support of our communities in the fight against illegal drugs," Ligan stated. He further asserted that "PRO 6 remains steadfast in its commitment to intensify operations against illegal drug personalities and ensure that those involved will be held accountable."
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, provincial director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, also lauded the operatives in the local dialect, noting that the arrest serves as proof that law enforcement continuously monitors individuals involved in drug pushing. He called for unified efforts to protect the province from the destructive impact of illegal drugs on the youth's future.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Campaign
The confiscated evidence has been transported to the appropriate police office for documentation and proper disposition, while the suspect remains in police custody awaiting the filing of criminal charges. Authorities confirmed that the individual will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. General Ligan urged the public to maintain their support by providing timely and accurate information to help dismantle illegal drug networks across Western Visayas, reinforcing the collaborative approach essential for effective law enforcement.
