Two farmers from Bukidnon were arrested during an entrapment operation in Davao City after allegedly attempting to sell a counterfeit gold bar and being found in possession of suspected shabu.
The operation was conducted at about 5:02 p.m. on May 19 in Purok 8, Barangay Buda, Marilog District, along the Davao-Bukidnon boundary.
According to a report from the Marilog Police Station, the suspects were identified as Janeth, 29, and Jarel, 36, a live-in couple and residents of Purok 9, Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
Police said the operation was launched after authorities received information regarding an alleged fake gold transaction in the area.
Investigators said the suspects were caught while attempting to sell a counterfeit gold bar to an undercover operative in exchange for genuine cash and marked boodle money used in the operation.
During a body search, authorities recovered one alleged counterfeit gold bar, two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing a total of 0.64 grams, a cellular phone, and a motorcycle.
Police also confiscated the boodle money used during the operation. The seized motorcycle was described as a black Rusi 150cc unit without a license plate.
Authorities said the recovered cellular phone, a blue Tecno Spark device, will undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation.
The suspects and the confiscated items were brought to the Marilog Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
The two suspects are now detained and are expected to face charges for estafa or swindling under the Revised Penal Code, as well as a separate case for alleged violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
