Custom officer, four others arrested in CDO drug bust

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Joint anti-illegal drug operatives dismantled a suspected drug den and arrested five drug personalities during a buy-bust operation at Adelaida Park Residences, Barangay Balulang, Fridqy midnight.

The operation was conducted by personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10 Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, together with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) City Intelligence Branch, COCPO Police Station 4, and the 1001st Regional Mobile Force Battalion.

Arrested during the operation were alias “Drew,” 39, and alias “Cha,” 37, both residents Adelaida Park Residences, Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City. They are identified as co-owners and maintainers of the drug den; alias “Al,” 57, and alias “Adi,” 41, both residents of Looc, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental; and alias “Ton,” 38, a resident of Mandaue City, Cebu, and Custom Officer in the Bureau of Customs.

Confiscated from the suspects were two sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately five grams, with an estimated standard drug value of Php 34,000.00.

Authorities also recovered one eyeglass case, one cellular phone, one Glock 21 caliber .45 pistol with one magazine loaded with 13 live ammunition, one Bersa Thunder caliber .380 pistol with 15 live rounds of caliber .380 ammunition, one Toyota Vios, various drug paraphernalia, and the buy-bust money.

The arrested suspects will face charges for violation of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.