ILOILO — A 24-year-old man identified by police only as alias “Josh” was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Dueñas, Iloilo, after authorities seized about 75 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱510,000.
The operation was conducted at around 7:35 p.m. on August 26 in Barangay Poblacion A, Dueñas, by personnel of the Dueñas Municipal Police Station (MPS) in coordination with Iloilo Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) Team 1.
Police described Josh as an alleged high-value individual (HVI). He was identified as a laborer and resident of Pototan, Iloilo.
Police operation followed intelligence work
According to authorities, the arrest was not a random street operation. It followed a series of intelligence validation, surveillance and target-profiling activities conducted before the buy-bust.
The suspect was allegedly caught after selling one sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer.
Following the transaction, authorities reported recovering three sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money and other non-drug items from the suspect.
The approximately 75 grams of suspected illegal drugs were placed at an estimated street value of ₱510,000, based on the valuation cited by authorities.
PRO 6 commends police teams
Police Regional Office 6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño commended the Dueñas MPS and Iloilo PDEU Team 1 for the operation.
Tuaño emphasized that successful anti-illegal drug operations can help prevent prohibited substances from reaching communities and potentially affecting individuals and families.
PRO 6 also said its campaign against illegal drugs would continue through intelligence-driven and coordinated operations across Western Visayas, in cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law-enforcement units.
Arrest adds to recent drug operations in Dueñas
The latest arrest comes amid other drug operations reported in Dueñas this year.
Earlier in August, Panay News reported the arrest of an alleged HVI and a street-level individual after police seized approximately 70 grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱476,000 in Barangay Anjawan, Dueñas. That operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as aliases “Garry” and “Che.”
A separate 2025 report from SunStar also documented an HVI arrest in Barangay Poblacion A, Dueñas, showing that the municipality has previously been the site of targeted anti-drug operations.
Charges still to be determined
As of the latest report, authorities had not yet provided details on the specific charges to be filed against Josh.
The seized substance will be subject to the required evidence-handling and forensic procedures as the case moves forward.
Authorities continue to urge the public to provide information on suspected illegal drug activity while stressing the importance of coordinated intelligence operations.
For now, the arrest marks another significant drug seizure in Iloilo, with police recovering an estimated ₱510,000 worth of suspected shabu in a single operation.
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