9 caught inside Danao drug den

CEBU, Philippines - Nine persons were arrested and at least P236,000 worth of shabu was confiscated by the police in a buy-bust operation inside an alleged drug den in Barangay Maslog, Danao City yesterday morning.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 arrested suspects Ariel Quimbo, Erwin Alvaracian, Awaimar Pulmar, Niño Joy Robles, Joven Morre, Franco Conde, Bonifacio Cabahug Jr., Dondie Tejero and Joseph Bensing after they were caught inside a drug den in Sitio Pagutlan.

However, the subject of the operation,  a certain “Dodong,” managed to elude arrest during the raid when the people inside his house scampered upon noticing the presence of the police.

Senior Police Officer 3 Roel Leyson of the CIDG-7 said they received information from residents in the area about the illegal activities of Dodong, who allegedly seemed to be so confident in operating the drug den.

After a few weeks of surveillance, CIDG-7 operatives raided the suspect’s house at around 11 a.m. yesterday and saw a crowd of around 30 people, reportedly as if they were having a feast.

However, only the nine suspects were trapped and eventually arrested following a commotion.

Police seized two large and 25 small packs of shabu that weighed around 20 grams and amounted to P236,000, as per Dangerous Drugs Board value.

They further confiscated illegal drug paraphernalia and a P1,600 cash believed to be proceeds of the illegal activity.

One of the arrested persons, Morre, told reporters yesterday that a certain Dodong and Boboy were the ones operating the drug den.

He said the drug den was always crowded everyday of people who sniff shabu inside.

Leyson said the drug den has been operating for almost a year already and this has been the first time that it was raided by authorities.

The arrested suspects will be facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. —Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/NSA

 (FREEMAN)