Anti-narcotics agents arrested six shabu peddlers and shut down two clandestine drug dens in separate operations in two Central Mindanao provinces over the past two days.
Three drug den operators were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) during an entrapment operation on Monday, October 13, in Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Gil Cesario Castro, director of PDEA-BARMM, told reporters on Tuesday, October 14, that the three suspects were detained immediately after selling P34,000 worth of shabu to agents during the operation inside their drug den in Barangay Salimbao.
Castro said the operation was carried out with the help of Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Tucao Mastura and Vice Gov. Marshall Sinsuat, who had earlier vowed to use their influence to curb the trafficking of shabu and marijuana in the 12 towns under their jurisdiction.
He added that Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, also assisted in the entrapment operation that led to the arrest of the suspects and the closure of their drug den.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Recites III, director of PDEA-12, said their agents, along with operatives from the Police Regional Office-12, also arrested three den operators during an entrapment operation in Barangay Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani, last Saturday, October 11.
Recites said the suspects yielded peacefully after realizing they had sold P54,400 worth of shabu to undercover PDEA-12 agents and policemen under PRO-12 director Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente inside their drug den in Purok Adelfa, Barangay Malandag.
He said the site has since been secured by barangay officials and volunteer community watchmen.