Ice trader nabbed in drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - Northern Police District anti-illegal drugs police officers arrested a fish market ice dealer for alleged possession of five sachets of methampetamine hydrochloride or shabu during an operation in Caloocan City Thursday.

Police Officer 3 Ariosto Rana said Rosalinda Hernandez, 40, an ice trader at the Malabon City fish market, yielded five sachets of shabu when arrested along Sampalokan street in Barangay 24 at around 6:45 a.m.

Rana said Hernandez had just moved to Barangay 24, Caloocan City from Tondo only two weeks ago when neighbors observed her talking to different persons along a dimly lit portion of Sampalokan street before dawn.

Police officers saw her talking to an unidentified man, but the two ran away as the lawmen approached. “The man made good his escape but Hernandez was cornered. She yielded five sachets of shabu,” Rana said.

He said the seized packets were confirmed to contain shabu and Hernandez tested positive for drug use.