19 arrested in Laguna drug den raid

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — Nineteen suspected drug users and traders were arrested by joint government agents in a lighting raid of a drug den in Lumban, Laguna yesterday, police said.

Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble, Region 4-A police director, identified the alleged drug dealers as Reynaldo Lacbay alias "Popeye," Benjamin Lacbay and Oscar Lacbay, all residents of Barangay Maytalang in Lumban.

Initial reports said the police team composed of members of the Laguna Special Operations Group, 405th Police Mobile Group and the Laguna Police Provincial Office swooped down on the area at around 12:05 p.m. and arrested 16 other alleged drug users while having a pot session.

Police confiscated an undetermined amount of shabu, a caliber .38 revolver, two hand grenades, a .22 magnum rifle, a weighing scale, assorted ammunition, and sets of uniforms of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces.

The raid was headed by Superintendents Ricardo Villanueva and Steve Ludan, chief of the Laguna Special Operations Group and 405th Police Mobile Group respectively, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the Sta. Cruz, Laguna regional trial court. — Arnell Ozaeta