Pubdate: Sat, 02 Apr 2005
Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sun.Star
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

NORA AUNOR ARRESTED FOR DRUGS AT LA AIRPORT

LOS ANGELES - Nora Aunor was arrested at Los Angeles International
Airport for allegedly possessing an illegal drug, a newspaper reported
yesterday.

The singer-actress, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, was
arrested late Wednesday allegedly with eight grams of methamphetamine
in her carry-on bag and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt, according
to the Daily Breeze of Torrance, which is near Los Angeles.

The newspaper named Aunor, but Jennifer Peppin, a spokeswoman for the
Transportation Security Administration, would only identify the woman
as a "female suspect."

Airport screeners stopped Aunor, who was flying to Oakland, and found
the methamphetamine in a film container, the Daily Breeze said, citing
unnamed law enforcement officials.

Aunor, 51, was released early Thursday after posting $10,000 bail,
according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. A court
hearing was scheduled April 21.

Lita Patayon, assistant to the Philippines' consulate in Los Angeles,
told The Associated Press by phone she was unaware of the incident but
would attempt to confirm whether Aunor was arrested.

Aunor has appeared in more than 170 films and recorded more than two
dozen albums, including scores of hit singles.

On screen, she starred with leading men of her time, including Joseph
Estrada.

She won the best actress award at the 2004 International Festival of
Independent Films in Brussels, Belgium. In 1997, she won for best
actress at the East Asia Film and Television Festival Awards in
Penang, Malaysia.

Although still a Philippine citizen, Aunor now spends much of her time
in the United States and has a home in Linda Vista, several miles
north of San Diego. 
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