BUSTED. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Ilocos Regional Office and the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office confiscate 11 grams of suspected shabu in an alleged drug den in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan Monday (Dec. 16, 2019). The authorities also arrested five persons. (Photo by Ahikam Pasion)
STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan -- Authorities have arrested five persons allegedly involved in illegal drug use and trade during an operation inside a suspected drug den at Barangay Minien West here.
PDEA-RO1 team leader Retchie Camacho said the suspect, Joey Cabico, is the subject of the buy-bust.
“We launched the operation after receiving a tip from concerned citizens in the area. They said that a drug den exists and that several shady people are coming in and out of the said house,” he said in an interview Monday.
Cabico was tagged as the alleged maintainer of the drug den, where they were caught.
“The drug den is located in a house inside a subdivision. The house has become a one-stop shop for illegal drugs trade,” he said.
Citing their source, Camacho said illegal drug buyers would consume what they bought inside the suspect’s house.
Aside from Cabico, also arrested during the operation were Franki Tamayo, Daniel Dacasin, Mark Jea Chua, and Maureen Salazar, all residents of Sta. Barbara town.
“One of the suspects was already subject for drug rehabilitation due to a previous record of substance abuse,” Camacho said.
Authorities have confiscated three sachets of suspected shabu with a total weight of 11 grams worth PHP78,800, on top of the sachet seized from Cabico in the buy bust.
Also seized were cellphones, assorted drug paraphernalia, a genuine PHP1,000 marked money, among others.
The suspects are now in PDEA-RO1’s custody, while charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are filed against the suspects.
The operation was led PDEA-RO1 and the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office. (PNA)
