Woman nabbed for overpricing alcohol

GOVERNMENT authorities arrested a 38-year-old woamn for selling overpriced ethyl alcohol, which is in demand amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis, the police reported.

Arrested was Maria Riza Nonong, a resident of Tetuan village, Zamboanga City according to Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer.

Galvez said Nonong was arrested through a buy bust around 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at a pharmacy in the village of Putik, Zamboanga City.

She said confiscated during operation were: 32 gallons of 70 percent solution of isopropyl alcohol with a total selling price amounting to P38,400 (P1,200 each) (total amount SRP: P16,640); one gallon of 70 percent solution isopropyl alcohol buy-bust product; and P1,200 used as buy-bust money.

The suspect, who was placed under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), will be facing charges for for violation of violation of Republic Act 11469 (Bayanihan To Heal As One Act) and R.A. 7581 (Price Act) as amended by R.A. 10623.

She said the suspect was arrested by joint personnel of CIDG, local police, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)-Mindanao West Cluster.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Froilan Quidilla, PRO-Zamboanga Peninsula director, has commended the efforts of the operating units leading to the apprehension of unauthorized seller of alcohol.

Quidulla warned other individuals not to take advantage of the situation amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (SunStar Zamboanga)