10 nabbed in QCPD raid of ‘drug den’

MANILA — Ten — including a woman accused of drug pushing, her 25-year-old son, an 18-year-old school dropout and a security guard — were arrested in a police raid and buy-bust operation in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, on Wednesday afternoon.

Police confiscated P200,000 worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and unlicensed firearms in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Quezon City Police District Anti-Illegal Drugs- Special Operations Task Group (QCPD-AIDSOTG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Anabel Erana, 43, and son, John Romero, 25; and eight other “shabu” users while they were allegedly engaging in a pot session in Erana’s residence at 8 Don Pepe St., Brgy Sto. Domingo, around 5:30 p.m.

The 10 suspects are facing charges for violation of sections 5,11,12 and 15 of Republic Act 9165 and RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Also arrested were 18-year-old Dionisio Vargas; 34-year-old security guard Ordaneto Tucmohan; Jordan Tabucol, 31; James Carlo dela Cruz, 24; Jose Pepe Maiso, 36; and Cris Pangcog, 32. All are residents of Quezon City.

Chief Inspector Enrique Figueroa, DAID’s chief, said the police operation, preceded by a month-long surveillance, was triggered by a call from concerned citizens.

Recovered also as pieces of evidence were a gray pouch containing 33 sachets of suspected shabu, three pieces of aluminum foil strip with “shabu,” various drug paraphernalia, two pieces homemade shotgun, a homemade firearm, 15 pieces .38 caliber ammunition, a cal .38 revolver and a piece frame for revolver.

Figueroa said Erana’s usual buyers were freelance merchants offering cheap auto parts in Banaue.

After buying drugs from Erana, drug users could enter and stay at the “drug den” at P20 per head, Figueroa added.

The Quezon City Police is still verifying if the suspects have pending warrants of arrests for other cases. They are currently detained at DAID’s detention facility.  SFM