STARLET Krista Miller and two models were arrested by Quezon City police as part of the government’s anti-drug campaign.
At a news conference, QCPD Director Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar identified the other suspects as Liaa Alelin Bolla, 24, a part-time model; and Jeramie Padolina, 30, a part-time model. Also arrested were John Inri Barros, 22; Justine del Rosario, 19, Renato Hernandez Jr., 32, and Aaron Villanueva Medina, 26.
Police said they received a tip that a certain “John” was pushing drugs at 21 A. Luna St. in Bgy. Bagumbuhay in Project 4. When they were arrested, Bolla and Padolina tagged Miller and Barros as the source of their illegal drugs.
The QCPD coordinated with the Valenzuela City police to set up a buy-bust targeting the actress at a gas station on T. De Leon Street in Valenzuela City on Sept. 30.
Miller and Medina were arrested at 9:10 p.m., and were found with a sachet containing what appeared to be shabu and several thousand pesos in cash. They also had four cellphones, a belt bag containing a wallet and assorted ID cards.
No bail was recommended for the provisional liberty of Miller and Medina.
“These accomplishments illustrate how relentless and coordinated QCPD anti-criminality efforts are, including the war on drugs. Once we have a tip, we act and squeeze out all leads that we can. That is why I urge people involved in drugs to surrender now and avoid adverse publicity which can ruin their careers, especially those in showbiz whom the masses look up to,” Eleazar said.
Earlier, Miller was linked to a convicted drug lord — Ricardo “Chacha” Camato — detained at the NBP in Muntinlupa City in 2014.
She was spotted in a private hospital visiting Camato.
Meanwhile, retired Philippine Basketball Association star Paul “Bong” Alvarez dubbed as “Mr. Excitement” was nabbed by the QCPD in a fistfight with John Mendoza in a bar on Timog Avenue, Barangay South Triangle Sunday night.
QCPD Station 10 said Alvarez was on its drug list.
Eleazar warned other showbiz personalities to surrender before it is too late.
He said they are also monitoring the alleged drug involvement of some reporters.
In September, starlet Sabrina M, or Karen Pallasigue, was arrested in a buy-bust operation also in Quezon City.
On Sunday, authorities said they were investigating a 22-year-old Filipino student who was caught carrying 4.8 kilos of cocaine upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The suspect, Jonjon Villamin, said he didn’t know that his two checked-in luggage contained drugs, saying he was only asked to bring the luggage to the Philippines by a Brazilian friend he met in Manila two years ago.
He said his Brazilian friend had offered him an all-expenses paid trip to Brazil, then asked him to take the two suitcases back to the Philippines.
Customs-Naia district collector Ed Macabeo said Villamin arrived at the Naia Terminal 3 Sunday night on board Emirates Air flight EK332 from Brazil via Dubai.
Macabeo tapped his men from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force to coordinate closely with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to conduct a thorough investigation.
Customs examiners found the cocaine, with a street value of more than P20 million, concealed in a false bottom and sidings in the two luggage.
In December last year, lawmen arrested a Venezuelan at the Naia carrying more than a kilogram of cocaine worth P6.6 million that he ingested.
The suspect — Andres Rodriguez, 39, arrived from Abu Dhabi on board Philippine Airlines PR 657, after ingesting 92 pellets of cocaine.
Authorities said drug mules would typically swallow balloons containing illegal druges to transport them across borders. Once they reach their destination, the balloons are retrieved from their bodies.
They added that a drug mule can swallow up to 120 balloons and, during their journey, take medication to inhibit bowel movement. Once they reach their destination, they are given laxatives to help the balloons pass through their bodies.