THREE online dealers were arrested in an entrapment for selling alcohol and sanitizer at exorbitant prices amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) scare.

The arrest of the three came after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has strengthened its monitoring on the prices of basic necessities to prevent unscrupulous people from taking advantage of the prevailing health crisis.

Police Colonel Tom Tuzon, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-9 chief, identified the arrested suspects as Arnel Salih Santos, 33; Arman Graciano Plateros, 32; and Maria Azha Solis Arroyo, 32.

Tuzon said they were arrested after selling overpriced alcohol and sanitizers to an undercover policeman around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sitio Talungung in the village of San Roque, this city.

He said confiscated from the suspects were 120 bottles of sanitizers, 31 bottles of 150 milliliter (Ml) of hygienic and ethyl alcohol, and P500 marked money.

Tuzon added that they launched the entrapment following surveillance on the unscrupulous activity of the suspects amid the scare of Covid-19.

The CIDG chief said charges for violation of Republic Act 7581 as amended by RA 10623 otherwise known as the Price Act will be filed against the suspects.

The three were arrested by joint team of the DTI, CIDG and Police Station 2. (SunStar Zamboanga)