5 drug dens busted, 19 suspects nabbed

CEBU, Philippines — Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) busted at least five drug dens in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City during a series of operations Wednesday afternoon that resulted in the arrest of 19 individuals for violation of the Comprehensive Drugs Act.

Anti-narcotics agents conducted a series of service of search warrants in Sitios Jai-Alai and Huyong-Huyong following reports on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the area.

The first warrant was served on Michael Dela Peña who allegedly maintained a drug den in Sitio Jai-Alai. His visitors--- Malyn Flores, Blanch Salaritan, Virgilio Ruiz, and Ericxis Campaña--- were also arrested. They will be charged for visiting a drug den.

Seized during the operation were 11 packs of shabu with an estimated value of P74,800 and assorted drug paraphernalia.

A separate team of operatives also raided another suspected drug den in the same sitio operated by Alvis Allera resulting in his arrest and four others---John B. Catipay, Jolious C. Abanilla, Manolito L. Servado, and Rufo H. Servado. An estimated P81,600 worth of drugs were also confiscated during the operation.

Six more individuals were arrested in the same sitio during the service of the third warrant. They were identified as Gaudencio Barcelona alias Shalaw Sanchez/Tatay Shalaw, Genry Artesuela, Larlie Torreon, Jessa Mae Cabesas, Jefrey Ochia, and Christoper Antipuesto. Barcelona was tagged as the alleged operator of the drug den. Seized from them were 10 packs of shabu worth P76,636.

In the nearby Sitio Huyong-Huyong, suspected drug den operator Edwin Doble was also arrested. PDEA-7 operatives seized from him P80,800 worth of shabu. The fifth subject of the search warrant, Junjun Pejares, eluded arrest but two of his visitors—Tejero Talisic and Renato Cristota--- were arrested. At least P68,000 worth of shabu and drug paraphernalia were confiscated from them.

PDEA-7 Director Levi Ortiz said all those arrested in Sitio Huyong-Huyong were not just ordinary drug users but drug peddlers.

“Nag-abot na gyud ni, reklamo sa atoang mga residente ug atong mga information nga involved ni sila, so mao ni naka-aghat nato nga maghimo (apply) og search warrant,” said Ortiz.

The suspected drug peddlers arrested in Sitio Huyong-Huyong are allegedly selling drugs not only in Barangay Mambaling but also in the neighboring areas.

Ortiz said the suspects will be facing criminal complaints for violation of the

Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002. — FPL (FREEMAN)