PDEA raids Paco market drug dens

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives raided four drug dens at a public market in Paco, Manila Monday afternoon, a PDEA official said yesterday.

Twenty-two persons were arrested and seven minors – ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old – as well as an 11-month-old baby, were taken into custody, according to a statement by PDEA director general Isidro Lapeña.

The drug dens were reportedly maintained by Marichu Sagcal, 38; Juanito Ropa Elizalde, 41; Brendalyn Usi, 39; Noel Acido, 43; Maricris Ayson, 41; Joel Principe Permejo, 40; Christopher Calixto, 39; and Ali Madid, 57, all residents of Paco.

PDEA agents seized 64 sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of P208,000 and various drug paraphernalia.

They also arrested 14 alleged customers at the drug dens, all located along Pedro Gil street.

BOC cited

Meanwhile, the PDEA also gave a plaque of appreciation to the Bureau of Customs for having the most number of significant drug-related operational accomplishments from January to November 2016, the BOC said in a statement yesterday.

Lapeña, who gave the award on Dec. 7, 2016, acknowledged the arrests made by the BOC, especially its unit at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force seized P340 million worth of cocaine, shabu, ecstasy, marijuana and chemical precursors in 2016.

Ariel Nepomuceno, BOC deputy commissioner for enforcement, said the BOC is committed to supporting the government’s war on drugs.