PDEA dismantles drug den in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Friday it has dismantled a 13th drug den since the beginning of the year and arrested nine persons suspected of taking part in the illegal drug trade in Cebu City.

The operation took place on March 14 in Villagonzalo II in Barangay Tejero, and led to the arrest of nine drug personalities and the confiscation of several sachets of “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride, the PDEA said.

Seized were 16 heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia, including 72 rolls of aluminum foil and 264 disposable lighters, said PDEA director general Jose Gutierrez Jr.

In a statement, he explained how the PDEA defines a “drug den.” “[A] drug den is a one-stop-shop used to facilitate selling/buying of illegal drugs and providing a convenient place to use the drugs bought, all in one place,” Gutierrez said.

In most cases, he said, other legitimate businesses are used as fronts for drug dens, such as sari-sari stores, Internet cafes, massage parlors and others, to conceal illegal facilities.

PDEA records show that since January, a total of 75 drug personalities have been arrested by the agency, 20 percent of whom were identified as operators or owners.

The remaining 80 percent were visitors and employees of the 13 drug dens separately dismantled in Cebu, Iligan, Zambales, Sulu, Surigao, Iloilo, Camarines Sur, General Santos City, Laguna, Naga City, and Biñan City. Two drug dens were also dismantled in Cavite, the records show.

The PDEA said the drug dens were known to cater to an average of 25 clients per day and, over all, generated at least P1.8 million every month.