ORMOC CITY– Seven individuals, including the alleged maintainer of a drug den, were arrested by the local police during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Matapay, Hilongos, Leyte on Monday evening, January 13.
Hilongos Chief of Police, Major Edwin Tolibas, identified the primary suspect as alias “Janzen,” 39, a fisherman and resident of Brgy. Matapay, who is accused of maintaining the drug den. Also arrested were his co-maintainer, alias “Carl,” 40, a driver, along with five visitors, alias “Peter,” 36;alias “Gary,” 29; alias “Roy,” 30; “Jun,” 32; and alias “Juan,” 28.
The target of the operation, “Janzen,” was caught after an undercover operative successfully purchased a sachet of suspected shabu for P500. Upon his arrest, police recovered an additional eight sachets of suspected shabu, as well as a large sachet containing the same white crystalline substance.
Authorities also confiscated a marked P500 bill used during the operation, along with a belt bag, a yellow box containing transparent plastic sachets, a rolled aluminum foil, two lighters, two glass pipes, and cash amounting to P2,431 in various denominations.
The suspects were immediately informed of the nature of their arrest and their constitutional rights in a language they understood. The seized items were properly marked and inventoried on-site, with witnesses present as required by law.
Police said the weight of the confiscated suspected shabu will be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit 8.
Charges for violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15 of Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against the suspects at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects are currently detained at the lock-up cell of the Hilongos Municipal Police Station pending further investigation.
(ROBERT DEJON)
