SAN MARCELINO, ZAMBALES — Authorities dismantled an alleged drug den and arrested five suspects during a late-night buy-bust operation in Barangay Rabanes here on Friday, May 16, seizing over ₱68,000 worth of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.
Personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Zambales Provincial Office, in coordination with the PNP Zambales Drug Enforcement Unit and San Marcelino Police Station, conducted the operation targeting the clandestine hub.
The suspects, identified only by their aliases, include:
- “Makoy”, 45, alleged maintainer of the den;
- “Ren-Ren”, 39;
- “Jojo”, 47;
- “Jer”, 37; and
- “Juan”, 31.
Authorities recovered approximately 10 grams of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) valued at ₱68,000, along with drug paraphernalia, a mobile phone, and marked buy-bust money.
PDEA officials confirmed the suspects are now detained at the agency’s facility in Pampanga pending the filing of formal charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The operation underscores intensified anti-drug efforts in Central Luzon, with PDEA highlighting inter-agency collaboration as key to disrupting local narcotics networks.
