A COUPLE allegedly operating a drug den and selling illegal drugs were arrested during a buy-bust at 4:44 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Sitio Ulap, Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City.
The operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7–Regional Special Enforcement Team, in coordination with the PNP Drug Enforcement Group and Cebu City Police Office.
The suspects were identified by PDEA 7 Director III Joel Plaza as alias Mirriam, 37, and her husband, and alleged accomplice in the illegal activity, alias Jerry.
Also arrested was a construction worker identified as alias Reil, 49, a resident of Barangay Dawis Sur, Carmen town, who was caught allegedly using shabu inside the drug den.
Authorities confiscated shabu weighing 15 grams with an estimated value of P102,000.
Evidence recovered also included buy-bust money and various drug paraphernalia, which have been submitted to the PDEA 7 Regional Office Laboratory for chemical analysis.
According to PDEA 7 information officer Leia Alcantara, the couple had been under case buildup for two weeks after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen that they were operating a drug den.
Based on gathered information, the couple allegedly sold 20 to 30 grams of shabu weekly from their supplier.
Those caught operating a drug den face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
Meanwhile, those caught inside the drug den face imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine of P100,000 to P500,000. (AYB)