By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A 31-year-old jobless woman was arrested Sunday evening in Intramuros after Ermita police allegedly found a sachet of suspected shabu on her during an anti-criminality operation.
Police identified the suspect as Jay Romasanta y Labasbas, alias “Jay,” of Aroceros St., Barangay 659, Ermita. She was collared at around 6:00 PM on April 27 along P. Burgos near the corner of Palacio St., Barangay 657, Intramuros.
Ermita Police Station 5 tagged Romasanta as a “newly identified street-level individual” or SLI.
Operatives from the Station Drug Enforcement Unit led by PCpl Jomary R Magbanua, under SDEU Chief PCPT Ruel Y Bertulfo and Station Commander PLTCOL June Paolo O Abrazado, conducted anti-criminality and validation operations in the area.
The team recovered one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, marked “JRM 4-27-2026” with signature.
Police said the sachet weighed about 1 gram with a standard drug price of P6,800.
Romasanta was informed of her constitutional rights in a language she understood and apprised of the offense for violation of Section 11, Article II of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Police said she opted to remain silent.
The confiscated drug evidence will be turned over to the Manila Police District Forensic Unit for chemical examination. Romasanta will undergo physical and medical examination before the case is presented to the Office of the City Prosecutor at Manila City Hall for inquest proceedings.
She remains in custody at Ermita Police Station 5.
ia/xf
