2 drug pushers caught in Sampaloc

Two suspected drug pushers were arrested by the police in a buy-bust operation the other day on an alleged drug haven known as “Lungga” or den in Sampaloc, Manila.

Lungga, which borders on A.H. Lacson Avenue and passes through a maze of small alleys, is reportedly the lair of small-scale and big-time pushers in the Sampaloc district. It has long been the subject of complaints from concerned residents, but so far police have not raided the area.

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales has been swamped with text messages and written complaints against the proliferation of illegal drugs in Lungga.

Rosales tasked Superintendent Roderick Mariano, chief of the District Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operations Group (DAID-SOG), to take appropriate action on the complaints. Mariano formed a team to conduct a buy-bust operation, resulting in the arrest of two suspected drug pushers.

Three sachets of a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu were seized from Susan Delliera, 43, and Roberto Timbang, 47, both from Felina street in Sampaloc.

Residents said Delliera and Timbang were small-time drug dealers, and the “big fish” were still in Lungga, reportedly enjoying the protection of police officials.

Residents said Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Ricardo Layug failed to clean his area of jurisdiction of illegal drugs. There are reports that drug dealers even bragged that they are “untouchables” and enjoy the protection of police in the area.

Charges of violation of anti-illegal drugs law were filed against Delliera and Timbang. — Nestor Etolle