Suspected sexagenarian woman drug dealer arrested in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines—Anti-narcotics agents arrested Wednesday a suspected female drug leader in her 60’s after allegedly selling suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu to an undercover agent in Cebu City, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official said Friday.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the “notorious” drug leader of the Abellana Drug Group as Pedita Abellana, 61 from Magsaysay Street, Barangay (village) Suba, Cebu City.

Cacdac said Abellana was arrested after selling a sachet of shabu to an undercover agent along Barangay (village) Suba around 1:30 p.m. When frisked, however, two more sachets weighing about two grams were also found in her possession.

Abellana’s group was said to be responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in Suba village and nearby municipalities.

“More and more women are getting involved in illegal drug activities, drug pushing in particular. Even in their 60s, these women are bold enough to head a drug group,” Cacdac said, referring to Abellana and Violeta Vallecer, a 65-year-old leader of the Contreras Drug Group, who was arrested by PDEA agents last December 13, 2012.

Cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against Abellana.