A man was caught for the third time in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
The suspect, known as alias “Mark,” is a resident of the same town and classified as a high-value individual (HVI).
According to police records, he was previously arrested in the same operation but was released through a plea bargaining agreement. He was arrested again in 2024 but was able to secure his release through probationary bail.
In the latest drug bust, his live-in partner, alias “Henna,” was also apprehended.
Authorities recovered 13 sachets of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 65 grams, with an estimated street value of ₱442,000.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Police Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, chief of the Barotac Viejo Municipal Police Station, stated that based on their monitoring, the illegal drug supply comes from Iloilo and neighboring provinces.
There are also reports suggesting that the suspect has connections inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.
The couple is now detained at the custodial facility of the Barotac Viejo Municipal Police Station and is set to face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.#
