NBI, PDEA raid drug dens; 3 nabbed

Three suspected maintainers of drug dens were apprehended by joint elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a morning raid yesterday.

NBI Acting Director Nestor Mantaring identified the three suspects as Franny Raquel, 26, of Sunflower street; and Jemma Cruz, 41, of Waling-Waling street; and Anthony Jay Lachica, 36, of Camia street, all of Punta, Sta. Ana in Manila.

Apart from the three addresses, also raided by the more than 30 operatives of PDEA and the NBI-NBI-Anti-Organized Crime Division and the NBI-Reaction, Arrest and Interdiction Division were two houses on Mayon street, but found them abandoned.

Assistant Regional Director Oscar Embido, of the NBI-AOCD, said their anti-drug operation was a product of several months of surveillance.

From the raided houses, agents recovered 20 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P60,000, drug paraphernalia, including tooters, aluminum foil and lighters.

Like the other drug dens that have been raided by the lawmen, the five drug dens in Sta. Ana Manila not only sold drugs but allowed their houses to be used for pot sessions, police said.

The suspects reportedly sell shabu at P3,000 per gram, including the free use of their houses.

"Actually, we were expecting a bigger haul. We could have gotten more grams of shabu, but we encountered difficulty in entering Raquel’s house. By the time we got inside they already disposed several grams of shabu in the toilet," Embido said.

The NBI secured a search warrant from Judge Felixberto Olalia Jr., of Branch 8 of the Manila City Regional Trial Court (MCRTC).

At 5 a.m. yesterday, agents raided the suspected drug dens and arrested the dealers, whom the NBI-AOCD chief said have been engaged in the illegal drug trade for years.

"We have yet to determine the source of their shabu supply and the kind of clients they cater to," he said.

Embido said he cannot totally rule out the possibility that the suspects were receiving protection from police. "However, this is still an unconfirmed report."

They are preparing to file against the suspects charges of possession of illegal drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act or Republic Act 9165.