PDEA smashes drug dens in Manila, Malabon
TWO notorious drug dens in Manila and Malabon cities were dismantled by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) following separate anti-narcotics operations this week which led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of over P200,000 worth of shabu and various drug paraphernalia, PDEA chair Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva said.
Five of the suspects led by Ma. Sharon Luneta were arrested inside a house in Bgy. 686 in Paco, Manila which was raided by members of the PDEA National Capital Region (NCR) Office.
Luneta, tagged as the maintainer of the drug den, and her visitors identified as Martin Maleta, Angelo Abo, Ronnie Cart Barwel and Luneta’s relative Raymond were arrested during the operation.
Recovered during the raid supervised by PDEA-NCR Director Christian Frivaldo were several heat-sealed plastic sachets containing 15 grams of the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” worth P102,000, various drug paraphernalia and the marked money paid to Luneta by a poseur.
A similar operation at No. 8 Mabolo Road in Bgy. Potrero in Malabon City also led to the confiscation of 15 grams of shabu and assorted drug paraphernalia on the same day.
Villanueva said that arrested during the operation were Sherly Balidoy, a 63-year-old woman tagged as the maintainer of the raided drug den, and her visitors Ronalyn Reyes, 33; Josenilo Gloro, 48; Jay Patrimonio, 37; and Leyvie Herrera, 37.
Reyes and Herrera are both sidecar drivers while Patrimonio is a jeepney driver from Sangandaan, Caloocan City. Glodo is a scavenger from Bgy. Catmon, Malabon City.
Villanueva said that Balidoy was arrested after she sold 10 grams of shabu to an undercover officer. Another 5 grams of the drug were recovered inside her house where the other suspects were arrested.
All suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, said the PDEA chief.
