El Salvador’s National Civil Police arrested a 65-year-old woman and her 24-year-old son at their home in lotificación Santa Mónica, in Conchagua, La Unión Sur department, for alleged possession and holding of drugs.[1] Police say the raid was carried out under a search warrant issued by a judge as part of a drugs investigation.[1] Police identified the two as María Ángela Membreño Ventura, 65, and Erick Armando Ventura Membreño, 24.[2] El Salvador Times described the pair as accused of keeping drugs meant for sale in local street-level dealing, known in El Salvador as narcomenudeo.[1]

Inside the house officers found marijuana, the cannabis component of the case, along with cocaine, an electronic scale, two mobile phones and cash.[1] The police report gave no weight for the marijuana and no amount for the cash.[3] The cocaine and marijuana are recorded separately; the accounts state no combined drug weight or value that could be attributed to cannabis.[2]

Both detainees were handed to the Fiscalía General de la República, El Salvador’s general prosecutor’s office, on the charge of possession and holding of drugs.[1] Police said they found the pair through the work of their investigation teams.[2] The police said the arrests follow a prior investigation that gathered enough evidence to seek judicial authorisation for the search.[3] Police quoted by Infobae warned that those who sell or hide illegal goods will face justice.[3]