CEBU CITY – An elderly woman who had just been released from jail was arrested in a buy-bust operation inside a drug den here Wednesday, July 20.
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA Region 7) arrested the suspect, Violeta Morales, 61, in a drug den she allegedly maintained in Barangay Sambag 1.
Leia Alcantara, PDEA-Region 7 information officer, said Morales’ live-in partner, Feddie Colongon, 71, was also arrested.
Colongon allegedly connived with Morales in running the drug den, the PDEA-Region 7 said.
PDEA Region-7 also arrested Joneil S. Basarte, 41, and Reynaldo V. Barangan, 47, who were caught inside the drug den when the agents barged in.
PDEA-Region 7 agents also rescued a 16-year-old boy during the operation.
Seized during the raid were 20 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 11 grams with an estimated value of P74,800.
The buy-bust money amounting to P320 and various drug-sniffing paraphernalia were recovered.
Alcantara said it took a two-week case build-up before Morales was arrested.
A tip from concerned citizens led to the discovery of the drug den.
“She can dispose around 20 grams of shabu a week. She was previously arrested for illegal drugs and was released two months ago,” said Alcantara.