Live-in couple falls in drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A live-in couple was arrested after they were caught allegedly dealing illegal drugs in Anilao, Iloilo on August 10.

Police identified the suspects as Jose Onofre Lacupa, Jr., 35, and Jerry Mae Lacupa, 39, both residents of Barangay Pandugue, Dumangas, Iloilo.

The couple was arrested near a sugarcane plantation at Barangay Pantalan, Anilao.

Members of the Anilao Municipal Police Station, together with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) and the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (IPMFC) nabbed the couple for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P7,500 to a police poseur-buyer.

When later frisked, the couple yielded four more sachets of suspected shabu and other non-drug items.

Captain Maria Fe Umiten, Anilao police chief, said the seized drugs are worth P102,000.

The lady suspect is separated from her husband and is living together with her husband’s third cousin, thus the same surname.

The couple initially claimed that they would be meeting up with a “pantat” or catfish supplier in Anilao, a town not really known for catfish production.

Jerry Mae initially claimed that it was Jose Onofre who is into drugs.

But when the man was asked, he alleged that he connived with Jerry Mae.

Umiten said the couple sourced their supply in Iloilo and has been distributing it all over the province.

They are now detained and will be chargers for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).