A joint anti-drug operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) and the Valenzuela City Police successfully obliterated a suspected drug den at Justicia Street, Arty Subdivision, Brgy. Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.

PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office Director Willkins M. Villanueva orchestrated the raid last April 19 by virtue of search warrants number 4731 (11) and 4732 (11) issued by Judge Fernando Sagun, Jr. of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 78. The operation resulted in the arrest of Nida Villasana,54, Joseph “Jojo” Villasana, 33, and Vladimir Gonzales, 25, all residents of the site.

District 1 Councilor and Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) Action Officer Tony Espiritu stated that the operation was the fruit of many months of labor. “Matagal nang tinitiktikan ang grupong ito. Mabuti at nagbunga ng maayos ang matagal na paghihintay para masawata ang mga ganitong masasamang elemento. (We have been keeping an eye on this group for quite a time. It is a big relief that our efforts to counter these elements have paid off.)” He said.

Found and confiscated in the site were the following pieces of evidence:

a) Six (6) pieces of transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, weighing more or less 5 grams;

b) Two (2) pieces of used transparent plastic sachets with suspected traces of shabu.

c) One (1) piece of transparent plastic sachet containing suspected dried leaves of marijuana, weighing more or less 0.022 grams;

d) One (1) bundle of money in assorted denomination;

e) Various pieces of drug paraphernalia.

The inventory was performed at the subject premises by PDEA officials in the presence of the arrested suspects. The event was witnessed by Kagawad Gerome F. Malabanan of Brgy. Karuhatan, media representative Rocel C. Lopez of 92.3 FM Radio Station and DOJ representative Assistant City Prosecutor Randy C. Caingal of the Valenzuela City Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspects are currently detained at PDEA Detention facility, while the confiscated pieces of evidence were then submitted to PDEA Laboratory Service for chemical analysis. A follow-up report by Ms. Marjorie D. Inojales, chemist of the PDEA laboratory service, revealed that the drug evidence yielded positive results as metamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).

Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, who was present during the raid, gave marching orders to Valenzuela City Police Chief P/SSUPT Eric Serafin G. Reyes and Barangay Karuhatan Punong Barangay Nicomedes Caco to double up efforts in eliminating drug syndicates plaguing their areas of responsibility. “Suyurin ninyo ang lugar na ito kung kinakailangan para hindi na pamugaran pa ng mga adik at pusher ng droga. (Scan this place thoroughly if necessary, so that drug users and pushers won’t plague this place any longer.)” The Mayor was quoted as saying.

Nearby residents gave valuable information to PDEA and local operatives which ultimately led to the arrest of the drug syndicate. “Binababoy nila ang lugar namin. Pero hindi namin hahayaan na lumaki ang mga anak namin sa ganitong kapaligiran. (They are turning this place into a pigsty. We will not allow our children to grow up in this type of environment.)”, said a citizen who refused to be named.

Arrested personalities headed by Nida Villasana are members of Villasana Drug Group who were operating in Valenzuela City. Cases for violation of Sections 11 and 12, Art. II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” were filed against suspects Nida Villasana y Cabahug and Joseph Villasana y Cabahug, while a violation of Sections 11 and 15 were filed against Vladimir Levi Gonzales y Magora under Prosecutor Almira B. Buce of Valenzuela City Prosecutor’s Office. Other suspects, Analyn Diaz alias “Malen,” however, remain at large.

- MICHAEL KING URIETA