Couple arrested for selling illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A couple suspected to be illegal drug pushers in Barangay Matab-ang, Toledo City was nabbed by operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) in a buy-bust operation midnight of Saturday.

Suspects Elias Halangdon, 40 and his wife Cecilia Halangdon are now detained at the Consolacion stockade pending charges for violating Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Republic Act 9165.

Operatives of the PIB who requested anonymity disclosed that the couple was under surveillance after reports of their illegal business reached their office.

A police asset has been conducting a test buy at the couple’s house in Barangay Matab-ang several times before the operation.

A buy-bust operation was carried out around 11:00 in the evening on Saturday that resulted in the arrest of the suspects at midnight.

The two did not resist arrest. Operatives said Elias and Cecilia assisted each other in selling shabu to their poseur buyer.

Confiscated from them were a small and large packets of shabu worth P7,000 and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Operatives said the two are noted drug pushers in the barangay. They were also disposing shabu in the towns of Pinamungajan and Balamban.

The couple was also in the watchlist for illegal drugs of the Toledo City Police Station. Criminal charges will be filed against them this week at the Toledo City Prosecutor’s Office. — (FREEMAN)