Sidewalk vendors by day, Parañaque bros also sell ‘shabu’

MANILA, Philippines—Antinarcotics agents have arrested two brothers who they say eked out a living as street vendors during the day but produced 100 grams of “shabu” in a buy-bust operation Friday night last week in Parañaque City.

Ismael Guro, 32, and his younger sibling, Cosain, 31, were arrested for selling P500,000 worth of the illegal drug to undercover agents at a fast-food restaurant on Roxas Boulevard, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the agency had been monitoring the brothers, both sidewalk vendors and residents of Gabriel Street in Baclaran, for suspected ties to the drug trade.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon on Tuesday said they were still investigating the source of the shabu that the brothers sold on the side.

“There are many like them who have legitimate day jobs but they also secretly sell shabu, which is their more lucrative source of income. They cite the legitimate businesses as part of their cover story when they get caught,” he said. Julie M. Aurelio