Cops nab preacher for allegedly selling shabu in QC

Mugshot of preacher arrested for alleged trafficking of shabu in Cubao, Quezon City. Photo from QCPD-PIO

MANILA, Philippines — A preacher of a religious group landed in jail for alleged illegal drug trafficking following a buy-bust operation in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday evening.

Police  arrested Jimmy dela Torre, 49, along Oxford Street near the corner of Aurora Boulevard in Barangay E. Rodriguez at 11:30 p.m.

Members of the Cubao police station, led by Lt. Col. Giovanni Caliao, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office in National Capital Region launched a joint buy-bust operation against the suspect after authorities received confidential information regarding Dela Torre’s durg activities.

Dela Torre was arrested after a police officer, who posed as a buyer, bought P500 worth of shabu (crystal meth).

Seized from the preacher were 10 sachets of shabu worth P5,000, marked money worth P500 and a motorcycle used during the transaction.

Caliao said the suspect could be selling drugs to sustain his livelihood and to use shabu for free.

”Common na po sa kanila as a source of livelihood at the same time makalibre gamit na rin sila,” Caliao said in a text message.

Dela Torre was brought to the Cubao police station for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)