CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 arrested eight people, including a police officer who has reportedly been on absent without official leave, in an alleged drug den just a few meters behind the bureau’s office.
NBI-7 regional director Ricardo Diaz said they received a report of the alleged illegal drug den just near their office in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City.
Diaz said his men, led by agent Agapito Gaoiran, conducted surveillance for a few days of the reported illegal drug activities of a certain Joel Cabezas, 41, and made a test-buy operation.
On Wednesday at 10:30 p.m., his men conducted a buy-bust operation in which Cabezas was arrested.
Seven others, who were also in the area, were likewise taken into custody. They were Albert Makinano, 40, a policeman who is reportedly on AWOL; Danilo Palileo, 39; Felipe Gelig, 39; Adrian Lagunda, 38; Michael Muvano, 21; Roy Muyano, 23; and Kimpoy Sayaboc, 20.
The NBI operatives were able to recover a sachet of shabu and drug paraphernalia at the alleged drug den.
“According to reports, they are dealing shabu openly…very insulting naman na they situated nearby and yet they operated na walang alanganin,” Diaz said.
Meanwhile, Cabezas denied selling shabu, but admitted to using the illegal drugs.
NBI-7 is set to file the complaints against those arrested before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office. (FREEMAN)