7 nabbed in drug den raid

MANILA, Philippines - Three brothers were arrested for reportedly maintaining a drug den as a “family business” in Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

Adriano brothers Esperidion, 45; Octavio, 47; and Bonifacio, 38, were apprehended when police officers raided their house in Barangay Old Balara, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

Albano identified the other arrested suspects as Jerome Velasquez, 26; Alfie Manalang, 18; Jake Manalansang, 30; and Esperanza Cruz, 44.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said the operation was prompted by a report from a resident about the illegal drug activities there.

“The drug den was allegedly a family business,” Pagdilao said in an interview.

Senior Inspector Roberto Razon, head of the QCPD’s anti-drug unit, said they set up a drug bust to catch Esperidion, who sold an undercover police officer P1,000 worth of shabu.

Esperidion’s two brothers and the other suspects were reportedly caught in the act of using shabu and playing on video karera machines.

Police officers recovered P40,000 worth of shabu from the Adrianos’ house, Razon said.