Suspected drug den in Negros Oriental closed; P108,800 shabu seized; five nabbed

Authorities arrested a construction worker and a carpenter, suspected of running a drug den, and three others during a buy-bust operation in Negros Oriental on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. | PDEA-7 photo via Paul Lauro

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A construction worker and a carpenter, who were believed to be running a drug den, were arrested after they were caught with P108,800 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation on September 6, in Amlan town in Negros Oriental.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Negros Oriental (PDEA Negros Oriental) said in a report that they arrested Ronie Niño Egok, a construction worker, and his alleged cohort, Nestor Pecore, a carpenter, for allegedly running a drug den.

The report described Egok and Pecore as suspected drug den maintainers.

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Five nabbed in suspected drug den

Aside from Egok and Pecore who were the target of the operation, three others were also arrested as they were caught inside the suspected drug den during the raid.

The three men — a carpenter, a baker, and a college student —  were described in the PDEA Negros Oriental report as visitors of the drug den.

They were identified in the report as Jameson Pecore, 41, carpenter; John Reymar Rocamora, 25, college student; and Angelito Yanong, 25, baker.

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Caught inside suspected drug den

Leia Alcantara, PDEA Central Visayas spokesperson, said that the five suspects were caught inside the house of Egok, which was suspected to be a drug den.

Alcantara also described Egok and Pecore, the suspected drug maintainers, as those who could allegedly dispose 50 grams of shabu in a week.

She also said that the three men, who were arrested for visiting a drug den, were allegedly holding drug paraphernalia and were allegedly about to use drugs when the operatives rushed in.

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Newly identified drug personalities

The buy-bust operation against the suspected drug maintainers was at past 11 a.m., on September 6, in Sitio Buswang, Barangay Bio-os, Amlan town in Negros Oriental.

The operation, which was a result of a case buildup for three weeks, lad to the shutdown of a suspected drug den and the arrest of the five men.

The arrested individuals are residents of Amlan, Siaton, and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental.

Alcantara also said that all the arrested persons were newly identified drug personalities.

The operatives confiscated eight packs of suspected shabu weighing around 16 grams with an estimated market value of P108,800.

Also confiscated were a digital weighing scale, a cellular phone, cash believed to be proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs, and various drug paraphernalia.

READ: Suspected drug den in Cebu City allegedly run by a couple shut down; 5 nabbed, P136,000 shabu seized

Charges against suspects readied

Alcantara said that the authorities were notified about suspicious activity in the area by concerned citizens.

The five arrested suspects were detained at the Amlan Municipal Police Station pending for the filing of charges.

Egok would be facing charges of selling and  possession illegal drugs, and maintaining a drug den, said Alcantara.

The alleged cohort, Pecore, will be facing charges of conspiracy in relation to the maintenance of a drug den.

Meanwhile, charges of visiting a drug den and possession of drug paraphernalia will be charged against the three others.

The drug raid was a joint operation of PDEA Negros Oriental, Negros Oriental Provincial Office and Amlan Municipal Police Station.

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