PDEA shuts down two drug dens in central Mindanao – BusinessWorld Online
COTABATO CITY — Anti-narcotics agents arrested six drug peddlers and shut down two clandestine drug dens in separate operations in two central Mindanao provinces in two days.
Three drug den operators were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) during an entrapment operation on Monday, in Barangay Salimbao in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Gil Cesario P. Castro, director of PDEA-BARMM, told reporters on Tuesday, that the three suspects were immediately detained by their agents after they sold P34,000 worth of crystal meth (shabu) right in the premises of their drug den in Barangay Salimbao.
Mr. Castro said the operation was laid with the help of Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Tucao O. Mastura and Vice Gov. Marshall I. Sinsuat, who had separately warned last week to flex their connections and powers as elected officials in addressing shabu and marijuana trafficking in the 12 towns under their jurisdiction.
Mr. Castro said Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, also assisted the entrapment operation in Barangay Salimbao that led to the arrest of the three suspects and the immediate shutdown of their drug den in the area.
Benjamin C. Recites III, director of PDEA-12, also announced on Tuesday that their agents and operatives under the Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12) had clamped down three den operators in an entrapment operation in Barangay Malandag in Malungon, Sarangani last Saturday.
Mr. Recites said all three suspects yielded peacefully when they sensed that they had sold P54,400 worth of shabu to non-uniformed PDEA-12 agents and policemen under PRO-12’s director, Brig. Gen. Arnold P. Ardiente, inside their drug den in Purok Adelfa in Barangay Malandag.
Mr. Recites said the drug den is now guarded by barangay officials and volunteer community watchmen. — John Felix M. Unson
