Major Drug Den Busts in Metro Cebu
In a significant crackdown on illegal narcotics, operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Visayas successfully dismantled two active drug dens during separate operations in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City on Friday, November 7, 2025. The coordinated efforts led to the arrest of six individuals and the confiscation of substantial quantities of shabu and marijuana with a total estimated value exceeding P170,000.
Lapu-Lapu City Operation in Barangay Gun-ob
The first operation unfolded at approximately 7:30 PM in Purok Tugas, Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City. A joint team from the PDEA 7-Lapu-Lapu City Team and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) raided a drug den maintained by a 61-year-old man identified as alias Brando. PDEA 7 Director Joel Plaza confirmed that Brando was the primary target of the operation and the alleged operator of the establishment.
Inside the den, authorities apprehended two individuals who were caught in the act of using shabu. They were identified as alias Javo, a 20-year-old from Barangay Basak, and alias Melissa, a 35-year-old from Barangay Pusok. The evidence seized from this location was substantial, including:
- Approximately 10 grams of suspected shabu valued at P68,000
- About 2.3 grams of marijuana worth P276
- Various drug paraphernalia used for consumption
Cebu City Raid in Barangay Tisa
Earlier that evening, at around 6:40 PM, a separate team from the PDEA Cebu City Team and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Station 10 targeted another drug den located in Sitio Tambisan, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City. This operation led to the arrest of the alleged drug den maintainer, a 21-year-old known as alias John, who works as a dog groomer. Also arrested was alias Eden, a 39-year-old resident from Sitio Mangga, Barangay Punta Princesa.
The contraband recovered from this second location was even more significant. Operatives confiscated:
- Nine packets of suspected shabu weighing a total of 15 grams with an estimated street value of P102,000
- Assorted drug paraphernalia used for inhaling shabu
- Buy-bust money used in the undercover operation
The successful back-to-back operations demonstrate the continued vigilance of Philippine law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal drug trade in Central Visayas. All six suspects are now in custody and will face appropriate charges under the Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
