An alleged owner of a drug den was accidentally killed by his cohort during a police buy-bust operation in Taguig City Tuesday night.
According to Taguig police report, alleged drug den owner Lorne Basilan, 57, died after he was accidentally shot by another drug suspect identified as Juan Tenerife, 40, who resisted arrest during the entrapment operation.
Prior to the incident, Tenerife sold a sachet of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to Patrolman Randolph Arlos who posed as a drug user in Purok 9, PNR Site, Brgy. Western Bicutan, Taguig.
When he was about to be arrested by the police team, Tenerife allegedly drew his gun and fired at Arlos who evaded the shot, according to the report.
A gunfight ensued between the suspect and the operatives, during which Tenerife accidentally shot Basilan.
Basilan was rushed to the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.
Tenerife was eventually arrested along with two other suspects identified as Jose Odabar, 27, and Emily Respecio, 32.
The police confiscated from the suspects six plastic sachets containing about 67 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P455,600, one P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, one 9mm-caliber firearm, one magazine, seven pieces live ammunition, one .38-caliber Smith & Wesson gun, five pieces of .38-caliber live ammunition, one weighing scale, and drug paraphernalia.
The suspects will be charged for violations of Section 5 (selling of dangerous drugs), Section 6 (maintenance of den) Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), and Section 12 (possession of paraphernalia for dangerous drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
"May this incident serve as an eye opener to all who continue their illegal activities especially getting involved in illegal drugs. It's never too late to change your ways, if not it's either jail or death for you," said Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg.