SEVEN people, including three minors, were arrested by authorities in an anti-drug operation that led to the dismantling of a drug den in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official said Friday, July 10.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Emerson Margate identified four of the seven arrested suspects as Celso Lucresia Jr., 31, drug den maintainer; Dante Vales, drug den maintainer; Prudencio Pisaras, 39; and Ariel Saguin Suizo, 20.

Margate said the other three suspects, who are drug den visitors, were minors aged 15 to 16. They were turned over to the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for appropriate action.

Margate said the drug den was dismantled as the joint PDEA and police team launched an anti-drug operation around 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Row C of the Pasalubong Center in Poblacion village, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The arresting team recovered from the suspects 15 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P102,000, a bundle to boodle money topped with one genuine P500 bill as marked money, P525 in cash of different denominations believed to be proceeds in the sale of illegal drugs, and several illegal drug paraphernalia.

Margate said the suspects will be charged with violation of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SunStar Zamboanga)