Drug den dismantled, 5 men arrested

CEBU, Philippines — A drug den was dismantled and five individuals were arrested, including the den maintainer, in a buy-bust operation on Thursday evening in Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City.

Police apprehended the subject of the operation and drug den maintainer identified as Jonathan Sollo, 41, along with his nephew, John Rey Sollo, 25, jobless, and three other drug den visitors, namely: Noel C. Radaza, 40, jobless; Vingie M. Tapere, 46, a public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver; and Archie Mabaso, 43, jobless.

Jonathan also sustained minor wounds after he allegedly attempted to escape, according to the information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7, Leia Alcantara.

Confiscated during the operation were four packs of suspected shabu weighing around 15 grams with an estimated average market value of P102,000, buy-bust money, and various drug paraphernalia.

Alcantara also added that the operation was conducted after the authorities received information from concerned citizens and that the suspect could also dispose of 20 grams of shabu weekly.

In addition, she said the suspect was arrested in December 2021 for illegal drugs but was released after he posted bail.

Bohol operation

Meanwhile, a regional target-listed drug personality was nabbed in a buy-bust operation in Purok 3, Barangay Aliguay, Maribojoc, Bohol at around 1:00 a.m. on February 15, 2024.

Police identified the arrested individual as Godfrey Tare, 43, jobless, and a resident of Loay, Bohol.

The operation was conducted by the members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bohol Provincial Office, along with Bohol Maritime Police Station Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Maribojoc Police Station, and Naval Forces Central.

Police confiscated from the suspect 21 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 105 grams with an estimated average market price of P714,000, buy-bust money, a cellular phone, and a motorcycle.

According to Alcantara, the agency conducted a two-month case build-up against the suspect before his arrest.

Additionally, according to PDEA-7, the suspect could allegedly dispose of 100 grams weekly.

All the suspects are currently detained by the authorities while waiting for the filing of cases against them.  (CEBU NEWS)