Fake jewelry gang leader falls

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged leader of a criminal gang involved in the proliferation of counterfeit jewelry and her companion were arrested in Quezon City on Thursday.

Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) caught Myra Baltazar, 47, and Jaime Ferrer, 50, in an entrapment operation along Dahlia Avenue in Barangay West Fairview at around 6:10 p.m.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the CIDG’s National Capital Region field office, said Baltazar was arrested after she and Ferrer negotiated a deal with an undercover police officer for two fake three-carat diamond earrings in exchange for P510,000.

Police also seized the marked money and a cell phone the suspects used during the transaction.

During investigation, Silvio said they learned the suspects have a warrant of arrest for swindling issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 97 Judge Rochelle Manuel.

The CIDG is preparing estafa and grave threat charges against the suspects.