TWO drug dens were dismantled and 15 persons were arrested by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA 7) in Sitio Lower Yati, Barangay Quiot, Cebu City, on Wednesday morning, July 27, 2022.

The PDEA 7 Regional Special Enforcement Team conducted a buy-bust operation at 5:45 a.m. that resulted in the dismantling of a drug den and the arrest of three individuals, namely, drug den operator Alberto Cuadero, 55, and drug den visitors Marites Carbonel, 47, and Leonardo Gadiane, 53.

Confiscated during the operation were nine packs of shabu weighing around 11 grams with an estimated value of P74,800, buy-bust money and drug paraphernalia.

Around 10 a.m. of the same day, the PDEA 7 operatives dismantled another drug den and arrested 12 persons in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

Those arrested were Arnel Pacaña, 49, an aircon technician and an alleged drug den operator, and drug den visitors Joel Villejo (39), Jefferson Cubillo (26), Ireneo Mendez (26), Rolando Quibilan (57), Gil Silvosa (40), and Steven Monares (24), both habal-habal drivers; Giovanni Intic, 45, taxi driver; Nelson Odchigue, 58; Ricky Hortezano, 37, street vendor; Alex Altamira, 54, dispatcher; and Rodulfo Castillon, 39, a construction worker.

Seized from them were 19 packs of shabu weighing around 10 grams with an estimated value of P68,000, buy-bust money, and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (GDC)