Brothers linked to robbery group nabbed in drug bust

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Two brothers allegedly linked to the notorious Epogon robbery group in Negros Occidental were arrested for purported illegal drugs possession at Barangay Tuguis, Hinigaran town Monday.

Arrested were Arman Rivera, 23, and his younger brother Allen Rivera, 19, both residents of the said village.

Police Major James Latayon, Hinigaran town police chief, said that they received a call from the barangay officials informing them about two personalities who arrived in the village without undergoing documentation purposes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Latayon said that the Rivera brothers were invited to the barangay hall for questioning when authorities saw them allegedly throwing and hiding a cigarette foil containing two sachets of suspected shabu.

Allen was also caught with another sachet of suspected shabu.

The recovered illegal drugs were valued at P1,500.

Latayon said the Riveras were tagged by some villagers in previous robbery and theft incidents in the area.

“They’ve been staying at the village for three days now,” he added.

The town police chief said that the suspects were reportedly seen meeting another brother, who was a subject of an arrest warrant.

Police continue to verify their identities and backgrounds, particularly their alleged links to the Epogon robbery group.

He said that the two suspects were the sons of 47-year-old Arnold Rivera, an alleged member of the robbery group who was arrested for theft last month in Silay City.