South Korean jailed for drugs

A South Korean businessman and his girlfriend were nabbed after operatives found regulated drugs in their room in a hotel in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City on Wednesday afternoon.

Arrested were Wei Rak Son, 39, a native of Gyeonggido, South Korea, and girlfriend Crisel Claire Ferolino, 24, a resident of Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 (PDEA-7) Spokesperson Leia Albiar said that the management of the hotel called their office after hotel staff found several types of tablets scattered on the floor of the hotel room of the suspect.

PDEA-7 immediately coordinated with Fuente police who conducted a surprise inspection at the said hotel.

Operatives found several types of prescription drugs inside the suspect’s room including 36 pieces of Zolpidem tablets, 15 pieces of Diazepam, and other 68 assorted tablets in different colors.

Albiar said that Son was arrested after he failed to present a doctor’s prescription for him to use the said regulated drugs.

Son said that the regulated drugs are for his personal consumption since he has cancer and is also suffering from depression.

“Ang regulated drugs kay although pwede siya gamiton pero kinahanglan gyud og prescription from a doctor. Dapat naa’y license ang mo-prescribe,” said Albiar.

Albiar also commended the effort of the said hotel for immediately reporting the incident. She said that most of the hotels and business establishments in Cebu City are now very vigilant, especially following meetings with PDEA7 regarding drug personalities using hotels and motels to conduct their business.

Ferolino was seized with one small pack of suspected shabu. Investigation showed that Ferolino has an arrest record for possession of suspected shabu.

The two suspects are now detained at the PDEA -7 lockup cell pending the filing of charges for violating Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.