Drug den raid in Jaro yields PHP 782,000 shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Four individuals were arrested in an anti-narcotics operation in Jaro, Iloilo City, on the night of November 27.

Authorities identified the suspects only by their aliases: Jovan, 29; Queeny, 24; Ivan, 30; and Rona, 20.

Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)–Iloilo Provincial Office, together with the Regional Special Enforcement Team, the Coast Guard Intelligence Unit–Iloilo, and Iloilo City Police Station 9, dismantled a drug den in Sitio Matawhay, Barangay Tabuc Suba.

Authorities seized about 115 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP 782,000.

Recovered items included several sachets of suspected shabu; drug paraphernalia such as aluminum foil, empty sachets, scissors, a plastic straw used as a scoop, and a plastic container.

Also recovered were PHP 1,000 in buy-bust money, identification cards, two coin purses, four mobile phones, several lighters, and other non-drug evidence.

According to PDEA-6, maintaining a drug den under Section 6 of Republic Act 9165 is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine ranging from PHP 500,000 to PHP 10 million.

Selling illegal drugs under Section 5 carries the same penalties.

Possession of more than 50 grams of shabu under Section 11 is also punishable by life imprisonment and fines of up to PHP 10 million.

Employees, visitors, and conspirators found within a drug den may likewise face life imprisonment.

The suspects will be charged with violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 26 in relation to Section 5, of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.