Mother, daughter arrested in Iloilo drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An elderly woman and her daughter were arrested in an anti-drug operation shortly after midnight on April 21 in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspects as alias “Pani” and her 64-year-old mother, Welnie.

The two were arrested at their home in Barangay Simon Ledesma, Jaro, at about 12:05 a.m. Tuesday.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit apprehended the suspects after they allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 7,500.

Police also seized nine sachets of suspected shabu and other non-drug items from the suspects.

Capt. Roque Gimeno III, chief of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit, said the seized shabu weighed about 70 grams and had an estimated standard drug price of PHP 476,000.

Gimeno said Pani was the main target of the operation, although her mother was also allegedly engaged in the illegal drug trade.

He said both women had no previous drug-related arrests, but their names were included on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council list of illegal drug personalities.

Gimeno added that Welnie had surrendered at the height of Oplan Tokhang, but allegedly continued peddling illegal drugs.

He also said Welnie’s son had just been released from jail after serving time for a drug-related offense.

Gimeno said Pani had four live-in partners who were all arrested for alleged drug pushing.

Police said the suspects were believed to be sourcing their supply from a shabu peddler in Jaro.

The suspects are now detained and will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.