Couple falls in P340K drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A live-in couple was arrested in a police anti-illegal drug operation at their rented place in Molo, Iloilo City afternoon of June 28.

Ramesiz Vega, 41, of Barangay South Baluarte, Molo and Vic Nelly Belonio, 48, of Purok Bangros, Barangay 1, Bacolod City, were nabbed after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P10,000.

It took three weeks for operatives of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) and Iloilo City Police Station 4 to finally nail the suspects.

Captain Roque Gimeno III, ICPO-CDEU team leader, said the couple yielded around 50 grams of suspected shabu and two small sachets containing dried marijuana leaves.

The seized drugs were valued at 340,000.

Gimeno said it took them a while to arrest the couple since they rarely went out of their rented room.

Vega and Belonio allegedly received clients at their boarding house.

Vega allegedly sourced his supply from a known drug personality in Barangay Desamparados, Jaro district.

Both suspects have no previous drug-related arrested.

However, Vega had been implicated in a frustrated homicide case but he was able to amicable settle it.

The suspects are now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).