PDEA arrests drug den owner, 21 others in Lanao

MANILA, Philippines - Anti-narcotics agents arrested 22 people, including a suspected owner of a drug den in Lanao del Sur, during a sting operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Tuesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said operatives of the PDEA Regional Office 10 entrapped Danny Subingsubing, 49, a high-value target in Northern Mindanao; his wife, Josefa, 45; and Dexter Palomares, 28, during a buy-bust operation last Mar. 2 in their residence, doubling as a drug den, in Purok 4, Poblacion, Tubod, Lanao del Sur.

Reports said an undercover agent was able to buy from three suspects a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu. They were apprehended after handing the illegal drug to the poseur-buyer.

Authorities also discovered the drug den when PDEA agents searched the house and confiscated 41 more sachets of shabu weighing approximately eight grams, various drug paraphernalia, and a cal.38 revolver with 20 pieces of live ammunition.

Arrested inside the drug den were Henry Subingsubing, Ivan Ken Subingsubing, Earl Subingsubing, Perlito Ricafort, Jason Celosia, Mark Gregorio Segis, Hernan Porras, Apolinario Hibal, Cris Soledo, Sherlito Maceda, Edson Laurel, Donald Obregon, Christian Pido, Bienvenido Tan, Allan Tañajora, Fermin Aguaviva, John Mark Aguaviva, Gilbert Almerol and Johnny Barcelona.