Illegal drugs worth over P2.5 million were recovered by operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 and Oton Municipal Police in the Province of Iloilo in separate buy-bust operations. 

Illegal drugs weighing 380 grams were seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Alegre, Oton on September 14, 2025 from a 26-year-old suspect identified only as alias “Dagul.”

According to the Oton Police, the suspect has alleged direct connection with individuals in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.

On September 15, 2025, a 39-year-old suspect identified only as alias “Anthony,” resident of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 1, Iloilo City, was also collared in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Trapiche, Oton.

The illegal drugs weighed 60 grams, worth a total of P408,000.

Oton Police expressed worry over the quantity of illegal drugs seized in the municipality.

“Ang bayan ng Oton, hindi natin ma-deny iyan dahil iyan sa recoveries natin. Ma-consider natin na alarming pero hindi naman tayo humihinto sa pag-conduct ng buy-bust operations,” said Lt. Col. Ahlie Estember, chief of Oton Municipal Police Station.  

Aside from the series of operations, police said, barangays have intensified their anti-drugs monitoring, such as in Barangay Alegre where alias “Dagul” was arrested.

Barangay Alegre Councilman Ronnie Guntan admitted that there are persons of minor age involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“Sa ating mga residente sa Barangay Alegre, Oton, sana ang mga bagay na iyan ihinto na nila para hindi na mapasama ang mga kabataan,” Guntan said.

Based on data from Oton Police, an estimated five big drug personalities are supplying illegal drugs in the said town.

Police added that the five personalities placed under surveillance are mostly residing in barangays that are not yet declared drug-cleared.

“Ang mga ito ay nag-bo-bodega lang. Dini-deliver lang sa kanila (ang suplay). So, according sa ating validation, may naghahatid sa kanila,” Estember added.