Major Drug Bust in Iloilo Nets 1.8 Kilos of Suspected Shabu
Police authorities in Western Visayas scored a significant victory in their anti-illegal drugs campaign with the arrest of three repeat offenders and the confiscation of approximately 1.8 kilograms of substance believed to be shabu. The operation took place in Barangay Aldeguer, Sara, Iloilo, on November 15, 2025, at around 7:14 in the evening.
Months of Surveillance Leads to Arrest
According to police reports, the suspects had been under close watch for nearly five months before the successful operation. Authorities confirmed the group's alleged involvement in distributing illegal drugs across various municipalities in Iloilo Province. The three individuals, all residents of Estancia, Iloilo, were identified only through their aliases: 37-year-old Che-che, her 34-year-old live-in partner Takong, and her brother Toto.
Police classified the suspects with different levels of priority in the drug trade, with one being designated as a high-value individual (HVI) and the others as street-value individuals (SVI). Investigation revealed that the group sourced their supply from Metro Manila before transporting the illegal substances to several municipalities within Iloilo Province.
Coordinated Operation Yields Significant Haul
The operation was led by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from multiple agencies including the Provincial Intelligence Unit, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, Sara Municipal Police Station, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas.
During the raid, law enforcement officers recovered 22 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and 11 knot-tied plastic bags containing the suspected shabu. Also seized were buy-bust money and other non-drug items as evidence.
Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6), praised the units involved in the operation. He emphasized the office's continued determination to combat illegal drugs in the region.
Strong Message to Drug Offenders
"This operation reflects our firm commitment to disrupt drug networks and hold accountable those who continue to endanger our communities," Ligan stated. "These arrests send a clear message to repeat offenders and those who persist in illegal drug activities—there is no safe place for you in Western Visayas."
The police official encouraged public support for their campaigns by reporting suspicious activities to help enhance community safety throughout Western Visayas.
All three suspects are currently detained at the Sara Municipal Police Station while authorities complete documentation procedures. Charges will be filed for violations of Sections 5, 11, and 26 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The offenses carry severe penalties under Philippine law, including possible life imprisonment to death sentences, with fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million, highlighting the serious consequences faced by those involved in the illegal drug trade.
