2 drug dens dismantled, 9 arrested in Camotes

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities have dismantled two drug dens and arrested nine individuals in a separate operation in San Francisco, Camotes Islands, Cebu on February 2, 2024.

The first operation was conducted at 5:22 p.m. on Friday by the agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency - Cebu Provincial Office together with the San Francisco Municipal Police Station and the 82nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army inside a drug den in Barangay Southern Poblacion, San Francisco, Camotes Island.

Arrested was drug den maintainer Joed Balicastro, 36, along with five other drug den visitors, namely: Salito Del Corro, 33, construction worker; Jerwel Loon, 46, construction worker; Mark Tampus, 40; Gerich Maorillo Bacante, 36, and Medardo Estrera, 29.

Confiscated during the operation were seven packs of suspected shabu weighing around 50 grams with an estimated average market value of P340,000, buy-bust money, and various drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, in another operation in Barangay San Isidro, San Francisco, Camotes Islands at 7:30 p.m., another drug den was dismantled and three individuals were arrested by the members of the San Francisco police and the PDEA-Cebu and the Philippine Army.

Apprehended were identified as Jomar L. Estrera, 39, carpenter, and two drug den visitors, namely: Roy Albaracin, 33, and Jitlee Regis, 30, laborer.

Seized from the suspects were 10 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 30 grams with an estimated average market value of P204,000, buy-bust money, and various drug paraphernalia.

“The dismantling of drug dens in San Francisco was made possible through the vigilance and commitment of the LGU, and we recognize their efforts in ensuring that any illegal drug activities in their communities are immediately acted upon,” PDEA-7 Regional Director Emerson L. Margate said in his press statement.

“Even after a barangay, municipality, or city is declared as drug-cleared, monitoring and validation of reported illegal drug activities must still be undertaken as it is a crucial part of the drug-clearing process to ensure that the LGU is able to maintain its status,” Margate added.

San Francisco was declared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC) as a drug-cleared municipality in May 2022. (CEBU NEWS)