AT LEAST three persons, including an American national, were arrested when the authorities raided a drug den in Purok 4, Barangay Manga, Tagbilaran City, Bohol at around 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
The suspects were identified as Esrom Jenkins alias AJ, 42, an American national and alleged drug den maintainer, Jude Benis Bantog, 42, the operation’s target and fisherman from barangay Ubujan in the same city, and April Valiente Ighot, 28, a drug den visitor and fisherman from Barangay Ubujan.
The raid was conducted by the operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 7), Bohol Police Provincial Office and Tagbilaran City Police Station.
Seized from the suspects were 15 packs of alleged shabu weighing 15 grams with a standard drug price of P102,000, buy-bust money, identification cards and drug paraphernalia.
The American national allegedly rented an apartment in Barangay Manga, which he allegedly used as a hideout with other drug users, according to PDEA 7 information officer Leia Alcantara.
After learning about Jenkins and Bantog's unlawful drug-related conduct from their source, they subjected them to a two-week case buildup.
Alcantara claimed that they also learned that the American national had been residing in the apartment for seven months, despite the fact that he had been residing in Bohol for eight years and had been moving from one place to another.
The suspects are being held at the Tagbilaran City Police Station, while charges in violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed against them.(AYB, TPT)