Relatives of ex-Agriculture chief nabbed in drug bust

LUCENA CITY—A mother and her daughter, who belong to the Alcala political clan in Quezon province, were arrested by policemen in a drug bust in Tayabas City on Sunday night, police said on Monday.

Senior Supt. Antonio Yarra, Quezon police director, said Maria Fe Abutin Alcala and her daughter, Toni Anne, were included on the drug watch list of the Quezon police and considered “high value targets.”

Yarra said they were arrested by undercover policemen and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents in a buy-bust operation in their house in Leveriza Subdvision in Barangay (village) Isabang, Tayabas City at 9:50 p.m.

Seized from them were 24 plastic sachets containing “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), weighing 115 grams and worth P212,750, and drug paraphernalia

Yarra said Maria Fe is the wife of Cerilo Alcala, younger brother of former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, who served in the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, and incumbent Quezon Rep. Vicente Alcala.

Cerilo and son, Sajid, who were listed as the top two suspects on the drug watch list of the Lucena City police, had surrendered to the police on Aug. 14.

READ: Quezon solon’s brother, nephew on drug list yield to clear names

Yarra said policemen have started tracking down other members of the clan who are suspected to be into illegal drug trafficking.

READ: Mayor denies links to drug trade

“I advised them to surrender. They can’t hide forever,” Yarra said in a telephone interview. IDL/rga