A drug personality associated with the Odicta drug group was shot dead yesterday during a drug bust in Barangay Boulevard, located in Iloilo City’s Molo district.

Police identified the suspect as 52-year-old Alex Blanca, who died of multiple gunshot wounds after allegedly resisting arrest.

According to Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) chief, Police Senior Inspector Kennith Bermejo, the buy-bust operation commenced at 11:30 a.m. with two assets and an undercover police officer purchasing 1.5 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect.

Upon realizing he was transacting with law enforcement, Blanca reportedly ran into his home and retrieved a grenade and a caliber .38 revolver.

“He shot our personnel twice,” Bermejo explained. “Luckily, his gun jammed and we were able to get the chance to shoot him.”

Following the operation, police recovered the said firearm with ammunition, P15,200 in cash, a mobile phone believed to have been used for drug transactions, a M26 grenade, and P25,000 worth of suspected shabu.

Blanca was believed to be the right hand to Mojan Mino, who together took over operations after drug lord Melvin Odicta, Sr. was killed.

Police are still looking into the source of the illegal drugs./WDJ