Woman nabbed with PHP 272,000 shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 54-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly peddling illegal drugs early in the evening of March 18 in La Paz, Iloilo City.

The suspect, identified only by the alias Belen, was arrested in a buy-bust operation at her house in Zone 2, Barangay Baldoza, La Paz.

The operation was carried out by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 Special Enforcement Team, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo Intelligence Unit and Iloilo City Police Station 2.

Authorities seized about 40 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard value of PHP 272,000.

They also recovered buy-bust money amounting to PHP 16,500, a mobile phone, a coin purse, a pouch and a national ID card.

PDEA-6 identified Belen as a regional target-listed personality.

The agency said she had no previous drug-related arrest.

Authorities said Belen was arrested after three weeks of surveillance.

Initial reports indicated that she allegedly sourced her supply from a person known only as Stonecold.

Belen now faces charges for alleged violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.