Live-in couple falls in P380-K shabu sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A live-in couple was arrested in a police anti-illegal drug operation afternoon of April 16, 2022 in Pavia, Iloilo.

Krishna Mabunay, 40, and her live-in partner Emil Sansolis, 40, were nabbed at their house in Providence Subdivision, Barangay Balabag, Pavia.

The house was owned by Sansolis’ brother and sheltered the couple and their 5-year-old child for almost a year.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU)-6 and Pavia Municipal Police Station led the operation against the couple who allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P24,000 to an undercover cop.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, RPDEU-6 chief, said the couple yielded 10 sachets of suspected shabu and other non-drug items.

The seized drugs weighed around 55 grams and valued at P380,000.

The couple’s arrest stemmed from a tip sent to police operatives a couple of months ago.

The tipster was alerted to a dubious transaction that had been taking place at the couple’s house.

“From then on, they were placed under surveillance to validate the report,” Darroca said.

Mabunay and Sansolis have been living together for five years. Until their arrest, they were not convicted or charged of any crime.

Darroca said the couple is considered high-value individual (HVI) drug personalities because they could sell 100 to 200 grams of shabu weekly.

According to the suspects, their transaction emanated inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.

They allegedly established connections with a certain Kenmark Pineda, a convicted felon serving his sentence for an illegal drug case.

Their supply was allegedly sent through courier service, or they hold meetups in Iloilo City.

In return, payment is made through mobile wallet GCash or money remittance center.

The couple’s child was taken into custody by Sansolis’ wife. She was also the one who brought food for the couple while they are in detention at the lock-up cell of Pavia Police Station.

Sansolis and Mabunay will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).