By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Hinigaran, Negros Occidental Mayor Nadie Arceo recently ordered the arrest of his brother-in-law who allegedly resumed trading illegal drugs after being previously arrested for the same offense.
A brother-in-law of a municipal mayor was arrested in a buy-bust at Brgy. Anahaw, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station)
Town police chief Major James Latayon identified the suspect as Hermino Sevilla, 47, of Brgy. Anahaw.
Sevilla was arrested in a buy-bust operation last Wednesday. Police seized from him two sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) weighing two grams worth P6,000, and P7,920 cash including P500 marked money.
Latayon said Arceo was dismayed when Sevilla, who was given a chance to change his ways, still chose to allegedly continue his illegal drug activity. The suspect was first apprehended for selling illegal drugs by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents in a Hinigaran resort in 2003.
The mayor reported him to the police after he recently learned about his brother-in-law’s continued engagement in the illegal trade, the police chief said.
Aside from the mayor’s information provided to the police, Latayon said they also received reports from concerned citizens a month ago about the illegal drug activity in the town, leading them to identify Sevilla.
Latayon said Sevilla denied the accusations against him.
Sevilla, who is detained at Hinigaran Municipal Police Station, will be charged for the sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.