By CESAR JOLITO III

An incumbent barangay councilor and two other individuals were arrested following the dismantling of an alleged drug den in Negros Oriental’s Santa Catalina town on Friday afternoon, March 20.

In a joint anti-drug operation, operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Regional Office in the Negros Island Region, in coordination with multiple law enforcement units, conducted a buy-bust and search operation in Barangay Poblacion’s Sitio Nagbagang.

Arrested was 29-year-old alias “Daniel,” an incumbent barangay kagawad who was identified by authorities as the alleged maintainer of the drug den.

Also apprehended were alias “Alex,” 29 years old, a business process outsourcing employee from Negros Oriental’s Bayawan City, and alias “Sheldon,” 23 years old, a laborer and resident of the same barangay.

Another suspect, identified as alias “Joseph,” remains at large and is currently the subject of an ongoing manhunt.

Seized during the operation were 16 sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 20 grams, marked buy-bust money and various drug paraphernalia, including improvised glass tooters, aluminum foil strips, a lighter, a pouch, and a mobile phone.

Authorities also recovered a Glock 43 firearm loaded with live ammunition.

The suspects are set to face charges for violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Article 2 of Republic Act 9165, as well as additional charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition./CJ, WDJ