PNP anti-narcotics cops raid 12 drug dens near Camp Crame

The PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force raided before dawn Monday 12 houses in Brgy. West Crame, San Juan City allegedly converted into drug dens. Police arrested 33 individuals including an active policeman and a former village official. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

On the first days of Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief, he witnessed the anti-narcotics cops swoop down on 12 drug dens only a stone’s throw away from the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City.

Early Monday, the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs unit raided 12 houses allegedly converted into drug dens in Barangay (village) West Crame in San Juan City that resulted in the arrest of 33 suspects–including an active policeman and a former village official.

“We are going to investigate this further. It’s very alarming that there is a drug den operating very near the police camp,” Sarmiento, who took office last September 11, said in an interview after the raid.

After the discovery, he said the DILG and the PNP, through the anti-crime strategy “Oplan Lambat-Sibat,” will intensify anti-illegal drug operations with the aid of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The raid resulted to the seizure of still undetermined amount of sachets of shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride), drug paraphernalia including several tooters and improvised burners.

One of the 33 arrested suspects was PO2 Ronaldo Baltazar, who is currently assigned at the PNP Headquarters Support Service.

The PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force raided before dawn Monday 12 houses in Brgy. West Crame, San Juan City allegedly converted into drug dens. Police arrested 33 individuals including an active policeman and a former village official. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PNP officials as drug protectors?

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said they are already looking into the alleged protectors and coddlers of rogue cops involved in illegal drugs activities.

“Are there PNP officials who coddle these drug suspects? That’s one of the things we are studying. Irrespective of who they are, we will make sure they’ll be put behind bars especially if there are sufficient evidence to do so,” said Marquez in an ambush interview at Camp Crame.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Gardiola, chief of Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF), said the raid was a result of a month-long case build up operation in cooperation with the local communities.

Gardiola also warned drug pushers that more arrests will be made as there will be no let-up in the PNP AIDSOTF’s campaign against illegal drugs starting with the grassroots level.

“Hindi po namin kayo titigilan. Hanggang barangay level na po ang ating tatrabahuin (We will not stop; we will work even at the barangay level),” he said.

Cases for violation of Republic Act no. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects. Julliane Love de Jesus/JE