NBI raids 3 drug dens in MM

MANILA, Philippines - Three drug dens in Metro Manila were raided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the weekend, an official said yesterday.

Lawyer Joel Tovera, who heads the NBI’s anti-illegal drug unit, said these drug dens are located in Caloocan, Parañaque and Manila.

He identified the drug dens’ alleged owners as Joel and Jojie Marquez in Caloocan; William Santos and his daughter, Yolanda, in Parañaque; and Eric Garcia in Paco, Manila.

The NBI raided the Marquez compound on Saturday, where they uncovered a “common area” where customers can use marijuana and shabu after buying small amounts for P300 to P500, depending on the quality.

“Their clients are mostly students, and their neighbors,” Tovera told The STAR.

Tovera said Marquez was caught but Jojie escaped. Agents confiscated seven sachets containing different amounts of shabu and marijuana from Marquez.

On Sunday, Tovera’s team raided two buildings owned by the Santoses in San Antonio, Parañaque, and confiscated shabu paraphernalia.

Tovera said they found shabu on the second floor of William’s house while shabu paraphernalia was found on the first, second and third floors of Yolanda’s building.

Similar items were found in Garcia’s house in Paco. Tovera said Garcia was not at the house during the raid so the agents arrested Rachel Guevarra, who was manning the den at the time.

Tovera said they charged the identified owners and Guevarra with violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.