Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
MANILA, Philippines–Four people, including a dentist, were arrested when they were caught sniffing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu” inside an alleged drug den in Cotabato City, an anti-narcotics official said Wednesday.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the arrested suspects as Dr. Rainier “Nen” Masukat, a rural health dentist; Marvin “Marvs” Sinsuat, 40; Rosello “Butchoy” Paches, 33; and Von Lluna, 24.
Cacdac said the buy-bust operation took place last Monday, supposedly for the arrest of suspected drug trader Ricky “Kay-kay” Cimafranca, who agreed to meet up with an undercover agent for a sachet of shabu, at his house in Barangay (village) Bagua 3 in Cotabato City.
However, after selling and handing the small plastic of shabu to the poseur-buyer, Cimafranca was able to elude arrest, Cacdac said.
Authorities launched a hot pursuit operation and checked Cimafranca’s house, where the dentist and the three others were caught red-handed having a pot-session.
PDEA agents searched the house and recovered various drug paraphernalia, Cacdac said.
Masukat, Sinsuat, Paches, Lluna are facing charges for violation of Section 7 (Visitors of a Drug Den) and Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Cimafranca, on the other hand, will be charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den).