Curfew violator falls in drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A young father who was earlier nabbed for violating the curfew rule was collared anew. This time, for a more serious offense.

Mark Arian Billon, 19, of Barangay Democracia, Jaro, Iloilo City, was arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation 5:30 p.m. of April 2, 2020 at the nearby Barangay Our Lady of Lourdes.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, together with Jaro Police Station, arrested the suspect after he sold dried marijuana leaves and seeds to a police poseur buyer for P1,000.

The illegal drugs were placed in a piece of paper.

He further yielded additional marijuana worth P4,000 which he kept in a tissue paper placed in transparent plastic.

In between tears, Billon claimed that he was forced into selling illegal drugs to feed his one-year old child.

Last Friday, March 27, the suspect was among the 116 persons who were caught roaming the streets of Jaro district during curfew hours.

With Billon’s arrest, police will slap him with charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

He might also be liable for breaching Mayor Jerry Treñas’ Executive Order No. 55 after the suspect failed to present an Enhanced Quarantine pass.