Couple arrested in Iloilo drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A hairdresser and his live-in partner were arrested after a monthslong surveillance operation in Molo district late Friday, June 26.

The suspects, identified as alias Lovi Poe, 30, and Kenneth, 27, both residents of Barangay Kasing-Kasing, Molo, were arrested in a roadside buy-bust operation in Barangay Salvacion Habog-Habog, Molo, around 10:35 p.m.

Police said the couple allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 14,100 to a police poseur-buyer.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 4 also seized a knot-tied plastic bag and four large sachets of suspected shabu.

Police also took custody of Lovi Poe’s Toyota Raize subcompact crossover.

Capt. Ryan Chris Inot, ICPS 4 chief, said the seized drugs weighed about 200 grams and had a standard drug price of PHP 1,360,000.

Following the couple’s arrest, Lovi Poe’s relatives and friends took to social media to accuse police of planting evidence against them.

They alleged that the couple earned legitimate income from Lovi Poe’s parlor and by selling shawarma.

However, Inot denied the accusations, saying it was a legitimate operation.

He said 200 grams of suspected shabu was too large a volume for police to use as planted evidence against the suspects.

“We could prove that in court,” Inot added.

Inot said the couple allegedly used their shawarma business as a front for their illegal drug trade.

“I know several people who sells shawarma but none of them has ₱7 million in their account,” he said noting the cash under Lovi Poe.

Inot also said the couple lived in a solar-powered, three-story house in Kasing-Kasing.

He added that Lovi Poe owned three houses in the province.

Inot said the suspects were not on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council list of illegal drug personalities because Lovi Poe’s relative is an incumbent barangay official.

He said Kenneth had been under surveillance years earlier when he was still living in Arevalo district.

As for Lovi Poe, Inot said his parlor worker and mother were allegedly subjected to a buy-bust operation, but the latter eluded arrest.

Inot said it took a long time for Lovi Poe to agree to the transaction.

“We had to use a quite good-looking cop as a poseur buyer for him to agree for a meet up,” he added.

With their arrest, the couple will still be together — but behind bars.

They are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.