A total of 35 sachets of suspected shabu were seized from a police officer assigned at the Regional Headquarters Support Group of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) during a buy-bust operation Monday afternoon.

The illegal drugs were confiscated from Police Officer 2 Stephen Magno, 41, of Barangay San Juan Zone III in Molo district, by joint elements of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 6, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6, and Iloilo City Police Station around 3:35 p.m. at Barangay Calaparan in Arevalo district.

RDEU-6 head Senior Insp. Kenneth Bermejo said that the sachets of suspected shabu have an estimated total street value of P70,000.

Magno was arrested after handing over two pieces of suspected shabu sealed in transparent plastic to the police poseur buyer.

His fellow policemen further recovered from his possession 33 sachets of suspected shabu and P2,000 buy-bust money and other illegal drug paraphernalia.
Bermejo said Magno is on their list not as illegal drug peddler but as a user.

During interrogation, Bermejo said that Magno sourced his illegal drugs from a certain “Balas,” also a resident of Barangay San Juan, Molo.

Bermejo said that the arrested police officer is facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and is detained at the Arevalo Police Station. (PNA)