By Jennifer P. Rendon
Orphaned and with no means of livelihood, a teenage boy claimed that he was driven to sell illegal drugs.
But months into the illicit business, 18-year-old Benjie Griño was arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation at 12:30 a.m. on April 27 at Barangay Tanza Esperanza City Proper, Iloilo City, where he also resides.
Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 1 nabbed the teenager after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P3,500 to a police poseur-buyer.
Recovered from Griño’s possession were eight more sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, and other non-drug items.
Captain Peter John Ramos, ICPS1 chief, said the suspect admitted his involvement in the illegal drug trade.
An Alternative Learning School (ALS) student, Griño said he has been living with his grandfather after his mother died.
“He claimed to have no money that’s why he was tempted to sell shabu,” Ramos said.
Griño allegedly knows someone who has a link with a New Bilibid Prison detainee.
“That’s where he sourced his supply,” Ramos said.
He added that Griño has been placed on monitoring after his name was included in the list of drug personalities by the Barangay Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
Grino is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).