CEBU CITY—A couple was arrested after P3.4 million worth of suspected illegal drugs were seized from their home in Barangay Suba here on Friday morning.
Live-in partners Jaime Gastador, 43, and Jocelyn Premacio, 47, were caught keeping at least half a kilo of shabu during the implementation of a search warrant by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA 7) and personnel of the Naval Forces Command (Navforcen) and Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command (AFP-Centcom).
The two however claimed their only business is selling “lugaw” or porridge in their area.
PDEA 7 information officer Leah Albiar said a total of 17 packs believed to contain shabu were found in the couple’s house.
The PDEA 7 said the couple used minors as couriers of illegal drugs.
When interviewed by media, Gastador and Premacio denied they owned the evidence confiscated inside their house, saying they were just selling “lugaw” to neighbors at dawn.
The couple was capable of selling a kilo of shabu a week, said PDEA 7.
“The operation was conducted in coordination with the Cebu City Jail because based on intelligence report, the suspects had contacts who are detained at the City Jail,” said Albiar.
City Mayor Edgardo Labella commended the PDEA 7, Navforcen and AFP-Centcom for the successful anti-illegal drug operation.
The mayor vowed that the city’s anti-illegal drug campaign will remain relentless.
“We will not stop because this is the program of our President. We will bring them (suspects) to the bar of justice. People who are involved in illegal drug activities should rot in jail,” Labella said. (With a report from PNA)