Alleged drug peddler falls again in buy-bust

By Felipe V. Celino

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A suspected drug personality and a painter were arrested Thursday morning in a drug buy-bust operation at Arnaldo Boulevard here.

The Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Capiz and Roxas City police collared Andrew Patiño, 44, of Barangay 4; and Ramon Treyes, 51, a painter and resident of Brgy. Baybay here.

According to Police Master Sergeant Ramil Arcangeles, Roxas City PNP spokesperson, the suspects yielded five sachets of suspected shabu, P3,000 marked money, a sling bag, a cellphone, and several drug paraphernalia.

Arcangeles said they mounted the operation after a month of monitoring and surveillance on Patiño.

Patiño was also arrested in 2017 for the same offense but he was released from police custody after a plea-bargaining agreement.

Treyes, on the other hand, is an employee of a car wash business where the buy-bust was conducted. He denied dabbling in the illegal drug trade saying he had no idea of Patiño’s business.

The suspects are presently detained at the Roxas City police station and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.