Woman selling abortifacients nabbed in Quiapo buybust

The Manila Police District-Special Operations Group (MPD-SOG) arrested yesterday a 44-year-old woman in a buy-bust operation in Quiapo and seized from her P150,000 worth of abortifacients.

In its report, Police Inspector Cesar Teneros, MPD-SOG operations chief, identified the suspect as Teresa Lozada, a vendor, a native of Albay and a resident of Punta Sta. Ana, Manila.

They found in her possession 2,000 pieces of Cytotec that was being sold at P75 each.

Cytotec, a drug used to prevent ulcers, can only be purchased with a prescription issued by doctors. It protects the stomach lining and decreases stomach acid secretion.

"However, it is being introduced by some herbal vendors to pregnant women seeking abortions," police said in a statement.

They are preparing to file charges of violation of law prohibiting the sale, dispensation andor distribution of contraceptive drugs and devices against her before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.

The MPD-SOG received information about Lozada’s activities and planned an entrapment operation against her.

The deal was arranged along R. Hidalgo street corner Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo.

– Evelyn Macairan