The younger brother of Arnel Pineda, the new lead singer of the American rock band Journey, was arrested after being caught in an anti-illegal drug operation in Quezon City Tuesday night.
Rusmon Pineda and his fellow tanod (watchman) of Barangay Sacred Heart were allegedly caught in the operation at the corner of Scout Santiago and A. Roces Avenue in Barangay Obrero around 11 p.m.
Authorities seized four sachets of shabu worth P136,000 from the suspects.
According to Police Capt. Nazarino Emia of QCPD Station 10 had a suspect arrested earlier who said Pineda was a source of drugs.
Pineda declined to comment on the crime.
Brother of Arnel Pineda arrested in drug buy-bust
The tanod said that Pineda was selling drugs and that he was just riding with Pineda on his motorcycle.
The two were detained at the Kamuning Police Station.
Arnel Pineda has yet to comment on the arrest of his brother. Arnel Pineda debuted as the lead singer of Journey on February 21, 2008, at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival held at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater in Viña del Mar, Chile.
Also read: PDEA to destroy about a ton of shabu next week
2 illegal lechon stores in Quezon City shut down
The Quezon City Veterinary Office has closed two lechon stores in the city after they were caught operating without proper permits and violating health and safety protocols.
According to Dr. Marie Cabel of the Quezon City Veterinary Office, they toured several places in the city, such as Maginhawa St. after receiving complaints from some residents regarding the noise of pigs and foul odors coming from the area.
When their team visited the houses, they discovered that they were selling roasted pigs or lechon online for P2,000 to P3,000.
The owners did not show the relevant documents such as business permits and sanitary permits, so the stores were closed.
Instead of pigs being in a clean warehouse and stove, pigs are in a dirty yard. There is no clean water to wash the pigs, and the place where they cook is also dirty.
Cooks also do not wear minimum safety gear such as gloves, face masks, and more.
Authorities warn the public to be wary of buying food online such as lechon.