24 arrested in Culiat drug den raid

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-four persons, including a 15-year-old boy, were arrested during a raid on an alleged drug den in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Armed with five search warrants, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group police officers raided Salam Compound at around 4:30 a.m.

Director Victor Deona, CIDG chief, said this was the third raid on the compound for illegal drugs and unlicensed guns. The first two raids were done in June and October last year.

The latest raid was under the direct supervision of Senior Superintendent Ronald Lee, CIDG-National Capital Region head. Police officers from the Anti-Carnapping Group, the Quezon City Police District and the National Capital Region Police Office also took part in the raid. 

The raiding team searched five houses in the compound, which were occupied by Kusal and Silyn Badjala, Majid Pustahan and Babylyn Aliasman, Saudia and Loren Kanlian and Rasheed Pustahan.

Four guns as well as bullets and magazines were confiscated. The lawmen also seized 24 sachets said to contain shabu with an estimated street value of P100,000.

Other items confiscated during the raid were five motorcycles, eight video karera machines and assorted drug paraphernalia.

The CIDG identified some of those arrested as Bernard Buena, Jose Insa Nurani, Manuel Mecinas, Baddiri Jamin, Jackylyn Reyes, Berimin Maningit, Satta Abdulraup, Ferdinand Arellano, Carlo Deoca, Rommel David, John Viduya, Analyn Versoza, Maribeth Vinluan, Melanie Santos and Rodison Wahan. Some of them were caught using drugs, Lee said.

Lee said those arrested will be charged with violating Republic Act 10591 and RA 9165, the drug and gun laws, respectively.