CEBU CITY — Five individuals, including two senior citizens, were arrested in two separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 7 (PDEA 7) and the Philippine National Police in Cebu City on 8 August.

At around 11:40 a.m., PDEA 7 operatives and personnel of the Cebu City Police Office Station 5 dismantled an alleged drug den during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Panagdait, Barangay Ermita.

PDEA 7 Regional Director Joel B. Plaza identified the target and alleged drug den maintainer as alias Oyok, 40, jobless and a resident of Barangay Ermita.

Also arrested were three alleged drug den visitors: alias Elizabeth, 60, a vendor; alias Omeng, 60, jobless; and alias John, 30, an e-bike driver. All three are residents of Barangay Ermita.

Operatives seized six packs of suspected shabu weighing about 11 grams, with an estimated street value of P74,800, along with two pieces of tin foil containing suspected drug residue, buy-bust money and various drug paraphernalia.

At around 5:21 p.m. the same day, another operation led to the arrest of a man who allegedly sold shabu to undercover operatives along Caimito Street in Barangay Mambaling.

The operation was conducted by PDEA 7, Cebu City Police Office Station 11 and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operation Unit 7.

The suspect, identified as alias Jerry, 44, jobless and a resident of Barangay Mambaling, allegedly sold the illegal drug to the undercover operatives.

Confiscated from him was a pack of suspected shabu weighing about 100 grams, with an estimated value of P680,000, as well as buy-bust money, a cellular phone, a motorcycle and other non-drug evidence.

PDEA 7 said the seized drug evidence was submitted to its Regional Office Laboratory for examination and proper disposition.

The five suspects remain under the temporary custody of PDEA 7 at its office in Lahug, Cebu City.

Charges for alleged violations of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing against the suspects.