PDEA: De Lima's nephew busted in Iriga drug sting

IRIGA CITY, Camarines Sur – Four drug suspects were arrested, including a man whom authorities identified as a nephew of detained Sen. Leila de Lima, following separate illegal drugs buy-bust operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Iriga City police and Regional Intelligence Division Friday afternoon.

PDEA-Bicol Regional Director Christian O. Frivaldo identified one of the arrested suspects as Francis Manuel De Lima, 39, a resident of Iriga City.

Frivaldo said the arrested suspect is a nephew of the detained lawmaker.

Likewise arrested were Ariel Regazpi, 40; Joan Sabanal, 28 and Alicia Mae Dice, 19.

Frivaldo narrated that around 5:10 p.m. on Friday, the composite team conducted a buy-bust operation at Room 3, Zams Apartelle in Iriga City,that resulted in the arrest of De Lima.

Confiscated during the operation were 7 pieces of heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing at least 55 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of

Earlier that day, a composite team led by PDEA agents arrested the three other suspects following another buybust operation in a hotel room in Brgy San Isidro, Iriga City.

Seized from the trio were two sachets containing more or less 25 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of several pieces of drug-using items and two motorcycles.

"Cases for violation Article II of RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared for filing against the suspects," Frivaldo said.