CEBU CITY–Three persons were arrested when a suspected drug den was dismantled in Talisay City, Cebu on Friday night, Aug. 22.
One of the arrested individuals was a certain, McLin, a 56-year-old construction worker who was allegedly the drug maintainer.
According to Joel Plaza, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7), McLin was arrested also for drug charges in 2019.
The suspect was released from jail after entering into a plea bargainagreement.
The PDEA-7 received reports that the suspect allegedly went back to selling illegal drugs.
According to the tip, the suspect was selling around 10 grams of shabu a week.
Also arrested during the operation in Barangay Linao, Talisay were Ben, 34, and Mark, 37, who were both caught inside the drug den.
Seized during the operation were five packs of shabu weighing around 11.12 grams with an estimated average market value of P75,616.
The PDEA-7 said maintenance of a drug den carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million.
Those caught in a drug den will face a penalty of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to P500,000 under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.