6 arrested in drug den raid near Tondo’s Pier 2

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MANILA, Philippines — At least six men were arrested inside a drug den near Pier 2 in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday, reports from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) showed.

Reports showed that officers from the Seaport Interdiction Unit of PDEA’s National Capital Region (NCR) Office, other agents from various PDEA offices and the Philippine Coast Guard arrested the men after authorities had established that the area was home to a drug den.

The discovery of the drug den located within a banana stripping facility at the port area came about as K-9 units swept the area around it.

PDEA-NCR Regional Director Christian Frivaldo identified the six as:

Romell Pencaliro, 30, believed to be the drug den maintainer
Roland Tonog, 48
Jonathan Patiño, 27
Andrew Mayor, 27
Ronald Toroba, 30
Edwardo Arinio, 35.

They were said to be laborers at the North Harbor area.

PDEA agents seized nine sachets that contained a crystal-like substance believed to be shabu, weighing 14 grams.  The substance’s price was estimated to be worth Php 95,200.00

There were also two opened sachets with traces of the substance also believed to be shabu, while other drug paraphernalia, cellular phones, and identification cards were seen at the crime scene.

PDEA said that officers are preparing to file charges against the suspects for violating sections of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.