By Jennifer P. Rendon
A couple landed behind bars after they were caught allegedly selling illegal drugs in a sting operation in Pavia, Iloilo.
Cyril, 53, and his wife, Joy, 54, were arrested at their home in Barangay Ungka 1, Pavia, at around 9:50 a.m. on March 13.
Members of the Pavia Municipal Police Station, along with personnel from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) and the Maritime Police Station, apprehended the couple after they allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP15,000.
During a subsequent search, police recovered 12 more sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items.
Major Harold Rendora, Pavia police chief, said the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 400 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP2.72 million.
He added that police conducted a three-week surveillance operation before launching the sting.
However, Rendora noted that their primary target was not just the couple but also their alleged supplier.
“We were hoping their source, who is on the regional target list of drug personalities, would also be there during the operation,” he said.
The supplier, based in Negros Occidental, did not arrive.
Authorities believe the couple served as distributors to street-level drug pushers operating in Iloilo City and the province.
Cyril and Joy are now detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Several couples have been arrested in recent weeks in connection with the illegal drug trade.
On March 11, police arrested siblings Brother and Rogielyn in Barangay Bulaqueña, Estancia town, with 1.12 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP7.62 million.
On March 10, officers from the Iloilo City Police Station 4 arrested a live-in couple in Molo, Iloilo City.
Two days earlier, another live-in couple, both previously convicted for drug-related offenses, were arrested in Janiuay, Iloilo.
Authorities seized 155 grams of shabu worth PHP1.05 million from them.
