4 suspected drug pushers arrested in Iloilo

ILO-ILO CITY — Four suspected drug pushers were arrested in a buy-bust operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas (PDEA-6) on Friday.

Ricardo Fuentes of Negros Occidental and Renante Atamosa, 35, of Cebu were arrested in an operation inside a pension house on Ledesma Street in Iloilo City.

While Rogelio Moleta 19, of Silay City and Richard Nalajunan, 30 of Talisay City, who were reported to be companions of the suspects were also arrested in Tagbak terminal.

Paul Ledesma, PDEA-6 director said they went to Tagbak Terminal after discovering that Moleta and Nalajunan were coming in from Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

A total of P600,000 worth of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) was seized during the operation.

Authorities said the suspects are now detained at the PDEA detention cell awaiting the filing of the case against them.

The suspects will be facing charges for violation of R.A. 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as amended.

“These suspects are experts in drug dealing. They know how to divert the attention of our PDEA operatives.

We are still checking their background and connections to other drugs groups,” Ledesma said in a report for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.