Major Drug Bust Nets P1.23 Million in Shabu
In a significant blow to the illegal drug trade in Western Visayas, police operatives arrested a high-value individual and seized more than P1.23 million worth of shabu in Balasan, Iloilo. The successful drug-bust operation took place on the morning of November 13, 2025, in Barangay Poblacion Norte.
Operation Details and Arrest
The Balasan Municipal Police Station's Drug Enforcement Team carried out the operation at around 8:40 a.m. The target, a 43-year-old man known by the alias 'Nyor', was apprehended after authorities recovered an estimated 181.4 grams of the illegal substance shabu. The police report indicates that the operation was initiated following numerous complaints from local residents about the suspect's alleged involvement in drug activities.
A thorough two-week surveillance operation confirmed these reports, revealing that the suspect had been sourcing his supply of illegal drugs from Metro Manila and distributing them within the Balasan area. The suspect is now detained at the Balasan Municipal Police Station and is facing formal charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police and Community Applauded
Top police officials were quick to commend the success of the operation. Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, the provincial director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), reaffirmed the police's firm commitment to the campaign against illegal drugs to uphold peace and public safety. He praised the operating team for their relentless efforts and expressed gratitude to the community for their vital assistance.
Echoing this sentiment, Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), commended the operatives for their excellent work. He emphasized that this operation is part of the agency's ongoing, intelligence-driven efforts to dismantle illegal drug networks across the region and encouraged continued public vigilance and support.
