Three people were arrested Tuesday afternoon after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials conducted an entrapment operation at Lacson-Galo Streets in Bacolod City. Authorities identified the arrested as 45-year-old Nanette Cabiles, 27-year-old Mae Cortez, and 32-year-old Simmy Celeste, all of the city’s Barangay Tangub.

NBI-Bacolod chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, said the operation was made after they received a complaint claiming the three were selling overpriced alcohol bottles. The NBI, along with the DTI, then conducted a test-buy to confirm the allegations and confirmed the suspects were selling alcohol at P90 for a 250 ml bottle when they are supposed to be priced at P40.

In total, they confiscated 104 250 ml bottles of alcohol, 37 one-gallon bottles, and three one-liter bottles.

The three may face charges in violation of RA 7581, or the Price Act. In addition, they could also face further charges if the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office crime laboratory determines the alcohol they were selling does not have 70 percent alcohol content./DGB, WDJ