Drug den operator, pusher nabbed in Iloilo bust

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a lottery outlet owner, believed to be drug den operator, and an alleged pusher during a sting operation in Iloilo province, the PDEA said on Tuesday.

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac, Jr. identified the suspects as Jodie Dedoroy, 46, a lottery outlet owner; and Arjie Demagajes,46, a painter. Both are residents of Dumangas, Iloilo. 

Reports said that elements of PDEA Regional Office 6 conducted the entrapment operation in a house owned by Dedoroy in Barangay Aurora del Pilar, Dumangas, Iloilo past noon last Jan. 9.

Dedoroy was arrested after selling a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, to an undercover agent who acted as poseur-buyer.

Further search of the house yielded 32 more sachets of shabu. Demagajes, who was in the premises when the operation was conducted, was also apprehended.

Investigations revealed that the house was being utilized as a drug den where illegal drugs, particularly shabu, are frequently sold rather than used,  PDEA said.

Dedoroy will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

A separate case for violation of Section 7 (Visitor of a Drug Den) will be filed in court against Demagajes.