Anti-drug cops nab Iloilo's 'shabu queen'
Police officers posing as college students arrested a drug pusher known as Iloilo's 'shabu queen.'
Friday evening's entrapment operation against Maria Victoria Lopez-Arroyo comes after police regional director, Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas assumed office and called for intensified operations against illegal drug trade in Western Visayas.
Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement and the Regional Special Operations Group were able to recover two sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride weighing .5 grams from Arroyo during the entrapment operation at around 6:30 pm at a billiard and pool place near her house at Zamora Extension, City Proper, a few blocks away from the Police Regional Office 6 at Camp Martin Delgado.
Each of the sachets had a street value of P500. Unfortunately, the authorities were not able to recover the marked money from Arroyo because the latter resisted, and was able to give her wallet and other personal items to the residents during the commotion. Police also took into custody Arroyo's husband, Graciano, for obstruction of justice.
Arroyo's drug courier, known only as 'Faith,' was able to escape the police dragnet.
Arroyo is now detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility at the Iloilo City Police Office. The PDEA will file criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 against her on today, Monday. An operative of the PDEA who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation said that Arroyo is included in their watch list for suspected drug personalities in the City.
The operative said they have their hands full with other planned operations against drug pushers following Cuevas's directive.