Live-In Couple Arrested with PHP 7.48M ‘Shabu’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A live-in couple was arrested for allegedly conspiring to sell illegal drugs early on October 3.

Magelyn Becina, 32, from Barangay San Marcos, San Pablo City, Laguna, and Andrew Leuterio, 32, a resident of Barangay East Timawa, Molo, Iloilo City, were apprehended at their rented residence in Barangay Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo.

The suspects allegedly sold a knot-tied plastic pack of suspected shabu for PHP 50,000 to a police poseur buyer.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, in coordination with the Oton Municipal Police Station, seized 12 more knot-tied plastic packs of shabu along with several non-drug items from the suspects.

Captain Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 team leader, stated that the seized shabu weighed around 1.1 kilograms, with an estimated street value of PHP 7.48 million.

Following their arrest, Becina had to bring her sleeping three-year-old child to the police station. Since she had no one to care for the child, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office took custody.

Soliman noted that both suspects had no prior criminal records. They were reportedly used as keepers and distributors of illegal drugs by their source, who contacted them via phone.

Becina allegedly received instructions from a source in Metro Manila, who used another trusted partner to send the supply.

“She has a partner in Metro Manila who sends her the drug supply,” Soliman said.

The supply was reportedly sent through a Ro-Ro bus, and the suspects picked it up in Oton.

Reports indicate that Becina has lived in Iloilo for about two years. She previously worked as a cashier at a gasoline station in Oton but was recently fired after being accused of theft.

Police conducted a one-month surveillance before arresting the couple.

Becina and Leuterio are now detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).