Pals nabbed after trying to skirt checkpoint; shabu seized

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A sachet of suspected shabu was seized from one of the two construction workers who tried to skirt a police checkpoint evening of September 16 in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The illegal drugs fell from the hand of Larry Linaha, 37, a resident of Barangay Airport, Mandurriao, Iloilo City but hails from Bago City, Negros Occidental.

According to reports, Linaha and his friend and fellow construction worker, 23-year-old Ronnie Constantino, were on board a motorcycle driven by the latter when they passed by a checkpoint at Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro at around 9:55 p.m. on Saturday.

Instead of stopping, they continued driving but were stopped by the rear security of the Iloilo City Police Station 3 checkpoint team.

Major Eduardo Siacon, Jr., ICPS3 chief, said the two appeared to be uneasy.

Shortly later, a lighter fell from Linaha’s hand followed by a sachet of suspected shabu.

Siacon suspected that Linaha tried to hide the sachet of illegal drugs in his helmet.

Linaha sustained scratches on his face after he resisted arrest.

Initially, Linaha denied that he owned the drugs but later recanted.

Siacon said Linaha would be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and resisting arrest.

Constantino, on the other hand, would face charges for disobedience upon an agent of person in authority and driving without a license.