The mother and daughter who were arrested for claiming a package containing P8 million worth of shabu from a courier company Monday afternoon were among those who lost their homes in a fire that hit barangay Lorega, Cebu City in March.
Editha Paul, 58, and her family live in a makeshift shelter they built after the blaze.
Editha and her daughter, Maricris, 32, were arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) after they allegedly claimed a package from Manila that contained slippers stuffed with the drug contraband.
PDEA-7 was tipped off by its head office that the contraband will be shipped from Muntinlupa City to Cebu using the services of the cargo forwarding firm.
Their neighbors could not believe that they were involved in the illegal drug trade. Editha was known to be working as a laundry woman. Cherry Booyaban, one of the neighbors, said they were shocked to learn over the radio about their arrest.
Lorega Councilman Joan Babaysol said that Editha, also known as “Jojo” and her family have been living in Lorega for almost 10 years. Editha’s husband, Mauricio, was reportedly sick.
When Cebu Daily News visited their house in sitio San Roque, Mauricio was not home as he and his two children reportedly were out to visit a relative.
David Mark Maramba, PDEA-7 Operations chief, said they are preparing for the charges against Editha and Maricris.