PDEA-7 agents do the inventory of confiscated items after they shut down another drug den in Cebu Cebu City, this time in Barangay Kamputhaw. Arrested were seven persons, including the caretaker of the drug den. | Photo courtesy of PDEA-7
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Seven individuals, including an alleged drug den maintainer, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Kamputhaw here past 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cebu, in coordination with personnel from Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) and Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) conducted the buy-bust operation in the area, which led to the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of suspected “shabu” amounting to P74,800.
One of the arrested suspects who is said to be the drug maintainer, was identified as Ronilo “Panter” Palparan, a 52-year-old working as a painter.
The six others who were his visitors at the den were identified as Walter Empenida, 46-year-old steel fabricator; Joselito Dinglas, 39-year-old construction painter; Roderick Lumba, 47; Giocarlo Lumasag, 25-year-old call center agent, Dante Rivera, 45-year-old food delivery driver; and Carmel Cabrera Galgo, 23.
According to PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Organa, the suspects were caught with 11 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 11 grams with an estimated Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of P74,800.
Other pieces of evidence recovered from them were buy-bust money and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Organa said it took at least two weeks for the case buildup, saying they received the information from concerned citizens about different people going in and out of the said place.
Reportedly, the suspects needed to pay P20 per head when using the drug den, and that they could use at least 50 grams of shabu in a week.
The arrested suspects are currently detained at the PDEA-7 facility in Lahug while awaiting the filing of charges.
/bmjo
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