Korean, Pinay partner nabbed in Marikina drug buy-bust

MANILA — An undocumented Korean in the country, his Filipina partner and another man were nabbed in a drug buy-bust in Marikina City on Sunday evening.

Senior Superintendent Lorenzo Holanday, Marikina police chief, said the city’s anti-illegal drugs unit arrested Hee Hwang, 37, a native of South Korea; his partner Sherryl Cruz, 30; and the owner of the house where the buy-bust took place, Raymond Paulino, 46, at 4D Raja Matanda St, Parang, Marikina City around 10:30 pm.

The three, who were in the act of selling illegal drugs to a police poseur buyer, face charges of violation of Section 26 (conspiracy) in relation to Section 5 (selling), Section 13 (possession of illegal drugs) and 14 (possession of drug paraphernalia) of Republic Act 9165 or the illegal drugs law.

Holanday said Cruz served as the drug runner and scorer.

Recovered were five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, P500 buy bust money and other drug paraphernalia, Holanday said.

Holanday said Hwang, who could not speak English, claimed that Cruz was his wife. The couple, however, was unable to show a marriage certificate when questioned.

Hwang was also unable to show valid passports and identification card, the police chief added.

The police are currently looking into the extent of the suspects’ involvement in the drug trade.  SFM/rga