Police nabs woman in buy-bust, supply of shabu hidden in rubber sandals shipped to Boracay

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

A 20-year old woman was arrested in Boracay Island by operatives of Aklan Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) and the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) on Friday afternoon. 

In a buy-bust operation, the operatives seized 31 sachets of suspected shabu worth P45,000 from Neslie Estropegan, native of Barangay Feliciano, Balete, Aklan at around 5 p.m. in Barangay Balabag. 

Estropegan told the police that her shabu drugs supply hidden inside the soles of rubber sandals were transported from Manila through a local cargo courier going to Boracay Island. 

“Ang items ginabagsak direkta sa iya kag ginabaligya niya sa mga tour guides kag iban nga ga trabaho sa isla. May salig gid siya sa police asset ta kag didto gid siya namon nadakup sa Balabag,” according to BTAC investigator Police Officer 2 Lovely Joy Raut-Raut.  

“Kaina lang nag successful ang operation sang police asset. Nagtext ang suspect na amo lang na ang nabilin na supply niya diri,” she added.

During the sting operation, Estropegan allegedly tried to flee but she was cornered by operatives in the area. 

Also recovered from the suspect’s possession were her mobile phone, P1,000 marked money and pera padala receipts of the drug transactions.

Last December, PAIDSOTG and BTAC also apprehended her live-in partner in a buy-bust operation in Boracay Island.

Prior to her arrest, Estropegan worked as a waitress in a restaurant and temporarily staying in a boarding house in Sitio Ambulong in Barangay Manoc-Manoc. 

The suspect is detained at BTAC lock-up cell pending the filing of charges for selling and possession of illegal drugs.

Violations under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Acts of 2002 will be filed at the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Estropegan in Kalibo, Aklan.