Metropolice: Drug peddlers, users collared

CEBU, Philippines - Two middle-aged women were arrested for drug peddling while three others were also nabbed after they were caught in the act of sniffing "shabu" during a buy-bust operation conducted by the operatives of the Opao Police station Sunday evening in Sitio Bantayan sa Hari, Barangay Looc, Mandaue City.

Rosalita Pinote, 47, with live-in partner, and Teresita Basilgo,43, also with live-in partner, were arrested by Police Officer 1 Ronnie Padeos, who acted as a police decoy. The suspects allegedly connived in handing two small packs of "shabu" in exchange of P400 buy-bust money.

During frisking, police recovered eight more small packs of shabu from the possession of Basilgo.

During the raid, police were also able to collar Jimmy Villegas, 31, and Aresteo Alo, both residents of Sitio Paradise, Barangay Looc, after Police Officer 1 Gilber Labiste also confiscated one deck of "shabu" from each of them.

Another female who was identified as Lilibeth Guiwanon, 31, of Sitio Mabini, Barangay Looc was also arrested after shabu paraphernalia were seized from her.

Police learned the three were supposed to start their "pot session" but unfortunately the police came to raid the shanty were both Pinote and Basilgo were earlier arrested.

All five suspects are presently detained at the Opao Police Station pending the filing of appropriate illegal drug charges against them. (FREEMAN)