RPDEU Seizes Over ₱500,000 Worth of Shabu in Molo Buy Bust Operation
ILOILO CITY – The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) successfully seized over ₱510,000 worth of illegal drugs from a High-Value Individual (HVI) in a buy-bust operation conducted at Barangay San Pedro, Molo, at around 7:35 pm, April 19, 2023.
The suspect was identified as Joel Maligaya, 48 years old, a resident of Barangay Calubihan, Jaro.
In an interview of Radyo Bistado with Police Captain Glen Soliman, the team leader of RPDEU-6, he revealed that they had been monitoring the suspect for over a month before the operation.
Soliman added that the suspect was selling the drugs within the city of Iloilo and was supplying his acquaintances and inmates.
Maligaya had previously been arrested and convicted of the same offense in 2016, but he was able to get out in 2019 through a plea bargaining agreement. According to the team leader, he had only returned to selling drugs a month ago.
The suspect was caught in possession of two sachets of suspected shabu worth ₱32,000 using the buy-bust money.
In addition, 13 more sachets of drugs were found in a black and white pouch inside the side pocket of his motorcycle, weighing a total of 80 grams and with an estimated market value of ₱510,000.
Maligaya is currently under the custody of the Molo Police Station and will be facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act Of 2002.
