A cockfighting farm caretaker was arrested after authorities seized 890 grams of suspected shabu worth P6,052,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Kinalkalan, Balasan, Iloilo.
The suspect, identified as Alias Jopet, is a 40-year-old High-Value Individual (HVI) and a resident of Barangay San Nicholas, Pilar, Capiz.
According to Police Captain Renzo Martinez, Officer-in-Charge of the Balasan Municipal Police Station (MPS), the drug supply came from Iloilo City and was distributed in Carles, other towns in the fifth district, and Capiz using a motorcycle.
Authorities suspect that some of the illegal drugs may have been sourced from the cockfighting farm where the suspect worked.
Initial records show that Alias Jopet was previously jailed in 2016 for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and was released in 2020.
The suspect had been under police surveillance for six months.
Authorities are now investigating possible accomplices.#
