ILOILO CITY: Western Visayas anti-drug operatives seized over P10.2 million worth of suspected shabu during a large-scale operation, as reported by the Police Regional Office. The operation, which spanned 24 hours starting at 6 a.m. on December 10, resulted in the confiscation of approximately 1,206 grams of illegal drugs and the arrest of 19 suspects.

According to Philippines News Agency, the seized drugs have an estimated market value of PHP8.2 million. Among those arrested, four individuals were identified as high-value targets, while the remaining 15 were considered street-level operatives. The largest confiscation was made by the Negros Occidental Police Office, totaling PHP5.7 million, followed by PHP2.4 million seized by the Iloilo City Police Office.

In one notable incident on the afternoon of December 11, the Pavia Municipal Police Station-Drug Enforcement conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pagsangaan, Pavia. This operation led to the seizure of around 300 grams of shabu valued at PHP2.04 m
illion. Two high-value individuals, known by the aliases Manong and Lyn, were arrested during this operation. Manong is a resident of Barangay Bakhaw Manduriao, Iloilo City, while Lyn is from Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

The arrested suspects are currently in police custody and are facing charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.