CEBU CITY – Nine persons were arrested when authorities raided two drug dens in a town in Camotes Island, Cebu that was declared as a drug-cleared area last year.

THREE persons were arrested in a drug den raid in San Francisco town, Camotes Island, Cebu on Friday, February 2. (PDEA-7)

On Friday afternoon, February 2, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Cebu Provincial Office, with soldiers and policemen, conducted a buy-bust operation in a drug den in Barangay Southern Poblacion, San Francisco, Camotes Island.

Arrested was the subject of the operation and the alleged drug den maintainer identified as Joed Balicastro, 36.

Also arrested were Salito S. del Corro, 33; Jerwel D. Loon, 46; Mark F. Tampus, 40; Gerich Maorillo Bacante, 36, and Medardo D. Estrera, 29.

Seized during the operation were seven packs of suspected shabu weighing around 50 grams with an estimated value of P340,000.

A few hours later, authorities dismantled a drug den in Barangay San Isidro, San Francisco.

Arrested were the subject of the operation and alleged drug den maintainer Jomar L. Estrera, 39; Roy O. Albaracin, 33, and Jitlee G. Regis, 30.

At least 10 packs of suspected shabu worth P204,000 were recovered.

"The dismantling of drug dens in San Francisco was made possible through the vigilance and commitment of the local government unit and we recognize their efforts in ensuring that any illegal drug activities in their communities are immediately acted upon," PDEA-7 Regional Director Emerson Margate said.

San Francisco was declared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing as a drug-cleared municipality on May 2022.

Margate said that drug-cleared areas are still being closely monitored by PDEA.

"Even after a barangay, municipality, or city is declared as drug-cleared, monitoring and validation of reported illegal drug activities must still be undertaken as it is a crucial part of the drug-clearing process to ensure that the LGU is able to maintain its status," Margate said.