11 arrested inside drug den

CEBU, Philippines - Eleven persons including a former barangay councilman were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Panugnawan, Medellin yesterday morning.

Alleged drug pushers Buenaventura “Verino” Diaz, 37, a former councilman of Barangay Panugnawan, and Roberto “Ruby” Opon, 32 were arrested for illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearm.

Other suspects namely Ernani Sinoy, 35; Rafil Ypil, 45; Noel Gullim, 19; Rodeo Cutab, 30, Randy Alarde, 37; Randy Vargas, 39, Dustin Bedrijo, 35; Mark Anthony Rondina, 32; and Ian Pepito, 26 were also arrested after they were found inside a suspected drug den.

As per police investigation, Medellin Police supposedly transacted with Opon and Diaz and agreed to buy from them shabu.

Both suspects reportedly agreed to have the transaction inside a drug den in their place, in which the policemen also agreed.

Upon meeting the suspects a, the police decoy signaled other police officers who immediately swooped down on the two suspects.

Seized from each of the two was a pack of suspected shabu, the P200 buy-bust money from Diaz, and P350 from Opon.

Police further confiscated a cal. 357 revolver with six live ammunition for a cal. 38 revolver from Diaz and another medium-size pack of suspected shabu believed to be around 1.50 grams.

Opon was frisked and was also seized with a cal. 9mm pistol with six live ammunition.

Police also recovered several drug paraphernalia, P700 believed to be proceeds of the illegal drug trade, and seven motorcycles from the area.

All arrested suspects were brought to Medellin Police Station for the filing of cases.

Opon and Diaz will be facing charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Article II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and for violation of the Comprehensive Law on Weapons and Ammunitions.

The nine other suspects will be facing charges for visiting a drug den, which is a violation of Section 7 of RA 9165.  (FREEMAN)