Three nabbed for selling overpriced alcohol

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— Three persons, including a medical representative, were arrested in an entrapment operation Monday afternoon for alleged smuggling of alcohol.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-CAPIZ) conducted the operation at Capricho II, Barangay Tanque here.

Arrested were Nathaniel Alvarez, 34, a medical representative and resident of Barangay Cagay here; Jason Once, 22, and Nestor Once, 34, both residents of Maayon, Capiz.

Recovered from the suspects were more or less 70 liters of alcohol in plastic bottles with a total value of P200,000.

Also recovered was the P100 marked money and 68 pieces of P1,000 boodle or fake bills.

According to Police Major Chris Arthemius Devaras, CIDG-Capiz head, their operatives offered to buy 70 percent ethyl alcohol V-Protect brand from the suspects.

Juvy Benliro, Consumer Protection Unit-Head of the Department of Trade of Industry(DTI), said the suspects sold a gallon of alcohol at P6,300 but the suggested retail price was P2,673 only.

A liter of alcohol was sold to the operatives at P350 but the suggested retail price was P148 only.

Devaras said the suspects will be charged for violations of Republic Act 7581 as amended by RA 10623 or the Price Act.

The recovered alcohol will be given to the frontliners in the war against the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19).