Drug den raid. (RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ RUEL PEREZ)
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte – An alleged drug pusher was killed while three others, including a local official, were arrested following a raid by police of a suspected drug den in Nabunturan town, Compostela Valley on Monday night, policeon Wednesday said.
Senior Supt. Armando de Leon, Compostela Valley police chief, identified the slain suspect as Jomar Larobes.
The operation by a combined force of local anti-drugs police and elements from the Compostela Valley provincial police was carried out by virtue of a search warrant issued by a the 11th Regional Trial Court branch 3 in Nabunturan against Larobes, whom police considered as the number 6 “drug personality” in Nabunturan.
De Leon said authorities swooped down on a house, which was allegedly used as a drug den at Purok (Community) 16, Northwood Subdivision in Magsaysay village past 9 p.m..
Larobes and another suspect allegedly drew weapons and fired at police, sparking a brief gunfight that killed Larobes. His armed companion identified only by the alias Jun Army was able to escape however.
Three persons who were at the house during the raid were arrested.
The police official identified the apprehended persons as Mark Tristan Humol, an incumbent town councilor of Nabunturan; Larobes’ brother Joel; and Roel Fajardo, a small-scale miner from Mt. Diwalwal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.
Recovered at the scene were three huge plastic packs of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), drug paraphernalia, a .38-revolver with five live bullets and an empty shell from a .9mm pistol bullet.
Monday’s raid was the latest of violent anti-drug operations as authorities stepped up their campaign against illegal drugs in Nabunturan.
Last month, four people, including a policeman, were also killed in a police operation against a suspected drug den in Compostela Valley’s capital town. SFM