Major Drug Bust in Iloilo City Nets Three High-Value Suspects and P1.46 Million Worth of Shabu
In a significant crackdown on illegal narcotics, operatives from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) have successfully apprehended three high-value individuals and seized approximately 215 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1,462,000. The meticulously planned buy-bust operation took place in Barangay Centro Dos, Simon Ledesma, within the Jaro District of Iloilo City, at precisely 10:55 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Police Leadership Commends Successful Operation
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, the esteemed regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), publicly praised the operating units for their exceptional performance. “This successful operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling illegal drug activities in Iloilo City,” Ligan stated emphatically. “We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-driven operations to protect our communities from the dangers of illegal drugs.” His remarks underscore the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Details of the Arrested Suspects and Confiscated Evidence
The individuals taken into custody have been identified by their aliases: AJ, a 30-year-old construction worker; Mol-Mol, a 28-year-old fish vendor; and May-May Libat, a 43-year-old unemployed person. All three are single residents of Barangay Centro Dos and have been officially classified as high-value individuals in the drug trade.
During the operation, law enforcement officers confiscated a substantial amount of evidence, including ten heat-sealed and five knot-tied transparent plastic sachets containing the suspected shabu. Additionally, buy-bust money and various non-drug items were recovered from the suspects, further solidifying the case against them.
Collaborative Efforts and Intensive Surveillance
This decisive action was the result of a coordinated effort involving multiple specialized units. The City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Iloilo City Police Office led the operation, with crucial support provided by the Regional Intelligence Unit in Western Visayas, the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit of the ICPO, and Iloilo City Police Station 9.
Authorities revealed that the buy-bust operation culminated from three weeks of intensified monitoring and surveillance. This prolonged investigative phase was significantly aided by valuable information supplied by concerned community members, highlighting the vital role of public cooperation in law enforcement initiatives.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Charges
The suspects are currently detained in police custody and will face serious charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. In a further development, authorities have announced that the three individuals will also be charged with resisting arrest. This additional charge stems from their alleged attempts to evade and obstruct the arresting officers during the execution of the operation.
This operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs in Iloilo City, demonstrating the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and community collaboration.
