By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) dismantled another drug den and arrested five individuals following a buy-bust operation at Purok Langis in Bacolod City’s Barangay Banago late Monday afternoon. 

PDEA agents identified the arrested as Val Demafiles, Paul Dasuyo, John Mark Limson, Jomar Parar, and Felix Albarico, Jr., all residents of the said place.

Agent Bamboo, head of the PDEA’s Special Enforcement Team in Bacolod City, said the primary target of the operation was Demafiles as he was allegedly the “maintainer” of the said drug den.

Authorities confiscated a total of 12 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P81,600. Also seized were drug paraphernalia, an elongated foil with suspected shabu residue and the buy-bust money, among others.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Last week, PDEA agents also dismantled a drug den in Bacolod City Vendor’s Plaza in Barangay 12 resulting in the arrest of eight individuals.

The drug den was subsequently demolished by the city government and barangay officials, along with several illegal structures inside the market./DGB, WDJ