Couple arrested in PHP 1.9-million shabu bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A young couple was arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation in Sara, Iloilo, on the evening of June 22.

Alias Grace, 21, a resident of Barangay Ferraris, Sara, and her live-in partner, Terrence, 20, of Barangay Tipacla, Ajuy, were collared in a buy-bust operation at the woman’s house.

Members of the Sara Municipal Police Station seized 280 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP 1,904,000 from the suspects.

Lt. Brett Balopiños, Sara police chief, said Grace, who is five months pregnant, was the target of the operation.

Balopiños said Terrence allegedly knew about Grace’s illegal drug activity, but it was the woman who ran the operation.

Balopiños said Grace allegedly entered the illegal drug trade through relatives who were also involved in the same activity.

Police said the drug supply was dropped off at her store, where her customers also picked up the items.

Both suspects had no prior drug-related arrests.

Grace and Terrence are detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Republic Act 9165 penalizes the sale, trading, delivery, distribution and possession of dangerous drugs, including shabu, the local term for methamphetamine hydrochloride.