A PREGNANT woman who was about to give birth in a public hospital in Cebu City was caught hiding in her bra what could be shabu Wednesday night.
On the same day, a suspected drug pusher was arrested in Cebu City after he was caught with P354,000 worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Calamba.
In Argao town, another suspected pusher was killed by the police during a shootout.
Sweetie Melinda (real name withheld) was investigated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) yesterday after the medical staff discovered four sachets of substance believed to be shabu.
It was the first time such an incident happened in the government hospital, according to its information office.
In a text message, Eliodoro Mongaya Jr., spokesperson of VSMMC, said the hospital has looked into the incident and will release the result once they have it.
Sweetie Melinda, who reportedly sells shabu in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, was brought to the hospital by her family past 10 p.m. because she felt stomach pains.
As part of protocol at the delivery room, the hospital’s staff examined her belongings and undressed her.
The sachets of powder fell out of her bra when this was being taken off.
She gave birth through normal delivery.
PDEA 7 Information Officer Russel Niebres said the mother will be charged for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Three agents guarded ther and she will be turned over to PDEA after the doctor clears her for discharge.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Rodmark Ampo-on Sabiona, who also allegedly sells shabu in Calamba, was also arrested after he was caught selling packs of suspected shabu worth P354,000 outside the house of a big-time drug dealer on A. Lopez St.
The teenager landed in jail together with Jonalyn Bayang, the 21-year-old daughter of Marilyn and Jonathan Bayang at 4:35 p.m. last Wednesday.
Bayang’s parents, who have been evading the police since their last arrest in 2003, were not in the house when operatives of the City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group (Caidsotg) arrived.
When an undercover policeman pretending to be a drug user bought a small sachet of shabu worth P200 from Sabiona, there were reportedly a dozen other suspected drug pushers present.
“Daghan gyod kaayo na sila namarog sa gawas (There are many drug pushers in that area),” said Senior Insp. Eunil Avergonzado, chief of the Caidsotg.
The police seized 37 small sachets and a large pack of white crystals that appeared to be shabu from Sabiona. Bayang was caught hiding 13 small sachets in her pocket.
The illegal drugs is valued at P354,000, according to estimates by the Dangerous Drugs Board.
The two face complaints for violating Republic Act 9165, which the police filed yesterday.