CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Nine persons believed to be illegal drugs traffickers were hauled to the police station following simultaneous raids at the largest drug den in Mabalacat City Saturday dawn.
The drug den along Roxas Street, Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City has been described by police officials as an organized community where prohibited drugs are being maintained by high-value target personalities.
“The community is well-organized and being maintained by high-value target personalities in the illegal drugs underworld,” said Senior Supt. Nicolas S. Salvador, director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPO).
Roxas Street has been popularly known as the main source of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) that is being distributed to different areas in Mabalacat City, according to residents in adjacent communities.
Salvador identified the suspects as Marky Herrera, alias Kikes; Joseph Monsuelo, alias Otep, 30; Gilbert Tuazon, 45, alias Bert; JunjunBaluyut, 39, alias Jojo; Joey Garcia, 38, alias Joey; Wendell Elgario, 18, alias Nono; Jay Raven Manlapid, 22, alias yos; Joshua Policarpio, 23, alias Joshua; Edwin Tobias, 30, alias Ed; and Agnes Reyes, 31, alias Agnes, all residents of Roas St., Bgy. Dau, Mabalacat City.
Police raided the drug den on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Omar Viola of the Angeles City Regional Trial Court against Herrera, the alleged leader of the illegal drugs gang which maintains the drug den.
Salvador said that with the raid, illegal drugs syndicates that supply shabu along Roxas Street surely suffered a big blow.
Roxas Street reportedly consumes two kilos of shabu per week. The community of drug dens has existed for more than a decade already, iOrbitNews gathered.
Scores have been arrested and brought behind bars during previous anti-narcotics operations here, Salvador said.
Salvador said security cameras and steel gates are mounted on houses known as dug dens.
“In fact, our men encountered difficulties in penetrating some residential units due to obstruction intentionally put-up to delay the arrival of the raiding team,” he said.
Seized from the suspects were illegal drugs paraphernalia and 25 sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of P50,000.
Salvador said the suspects were taken to Mabalacat City Police headquarters as cases for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act have been filed before the City Prosecutors Office against them.