Another member of family ‘into drug trade’ arrested

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A teenage boy was arrested with more than half a million worth of shabu following a buy-bust operation in Roxas City, Capiz.

John (not his real name), who hails from Dasmariñas, Cavite, professed to be 15 years old.

"But we have yet to determine his true age. He failed to present any proof that he's still a minor," said Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion, Capiz police chief.

John was not the target of the buy-bust operation conducted by the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) around 1 p.m. on Friday at Homesite in Barangay Lawaan.

The PDEU team transacted with his elder brother, Marwin.

"But during the buy-bust operation, Marwin sent his brother to deliver the shabu to a police poseur buyer," Nacion said.

As it appears, illegal drug trade seemed to be a family business for the Pangcogas.

Their mother, Rowena, is now in jail for the same offense.

Their brother-in-law, a certain Tax Panarag, was also arrested in Sapian town in 2015 also for an illegal drugs case.

When frisked during Friday’s drug bust, John allegedly yielded 15 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 75 grams and with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P562,500.

Also seized from him was the P1,000 marked money, P700 cash, a digital weighing scale, and a red bag.

Nacion said John was not on their watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

But Marwin is considered a high-value target Level 1 drug personality.

Police are determined to file charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) against John, pending the determination of his real age. (FREEMAN)