Iligan City, Philippines – In a significant breakthrough, the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Iligan City Police Office apprehended a high-value individual (HVI) during a buy-bust operation on May 18, 2024, in Purok 13A, Brgy. Palao.
The operation led to the arrest of a 45-year-old resident of the area after authorities successfully purchased a small sachet of suspected shabu from him. The suspect was found in possession of ten sachets of varying sizes containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The total weight of the seized substance was 75 grams, valued at approximately PhP510,000.00. Additionally, the police confiscated a PhP800.00 bill used in the transaction and other drug paraphernalia.
Further investigations uncovered that the suspect had a prior arrest under Republic Act No. 9165, although the case had been dismissed. He revealed his connection to Lovely Adam Impal, infamously known as the “shabu queen,” who was apprehended by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a 2017 operation in Iligan City. The suspect, who claimed to be Impal’s driver, used a distribution network that operated primarily within Iligan City. His modus operandi involved conducting transactions in various lodging houses to avoid detection.
Currently, the suspect is detained at Iligan City Police Station 5 as authorities prepare to file charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Article II of RA 9165.
PBGEN Ricardo G. Layug Jr., Regional Director of PRO10, praised the enforcement unit for the successful operation. “Our mission is clear – to safeguard the well-being of our citizens and to ensure a safe and drug-free environment for all. We urge the public to remain vigilant and to continue supporting the PNP by providing information that can lead to the apprehension of those who threaten our society with illegal drugs,” he stated. He reaffirmed PRO10’s commitment to protecting and serving the people of Northern Mindanao.
SOURCE: Police Regional Office 10
