On August 14, 2024, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, in coordination with the PDEA RO-X Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), PDEA Camiguin Provincial Office, and Cagayan de Oro City Police Station 1 (COCPO PS1), conducted successful simultaneous buy-bust operations in Barangay 17, Cagayan de Oro City. These operations led to the dismantling of drug dens in the area, arrest of several individuals suspected of involvement in illegal drug activities and seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs. Ironically, Barangay 17 had been issued a Certificate of Drug-Cleared Barangay just this February.
FIRST OPERATION – resulted in the arrest of three individuals involved in illegal drug activities: Alias Tukag, 22, a drug den maintainer and pusher; Alias Romy, 60, a visitor and pusher; and Alias Ver, 35, a visitor. Approximately 12 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of Php 81,600.00 were seized.
SECOND OPERATION – implementation of Search Warrant No. SWA-080524-730 led to the arrest of four individuals involved in illegal drug activities. The suspects are identified as Alias Bayani (49 years old), Alias Billy (31 years old), both drug den maintainers and subjects of the search warrant. Also in police custody are Alias Tony (37 years old) and Alias Ihid (32 years old), who were visitors at the time of the operation. The operation also resulted in the seizure of approximately 15 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of Php 102,000.00.
THIRD OPERATION – implementation of Search Warrant No. SWA-080524-731 resulted in the dismantling of a drug den and the arrest of three individuals involved in illegal drug activities. The arrested individuals were identified as Alias Jeprox, 25 years old, single; Alias Ton-ton, 47 years old, single; and Alias Ric, 44 years old, married, all residents of Barangay 17, Cagayan de Oro City. The operation also led to the seizure of approximately 6 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of Php 40,800.00.
The confiscated drugs are now in the custody of PDEA RO-X for further investigation and legal action. The suspects face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The operations came just a few months after Barangay 17 was declared drug-cleared on February 20, 2024.
Meanwhile, during a press conference by PDEA Regional Director Atty. Benjamin G. Gaspi, who was joined by IAV Expedito P. Cardona, the Provincial Officer of PDEA RO-X Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, Barangay 17 Chairman Anthony Atterviry shown below (left) disclosed that he had installed 64 CCTV cameras in all corners of his barangay and revealed the rampant drug trade as captured by the footage. In a radio interview, he said before the raid, streets around the barangay suddenly become crowded with parked vehicles at night apparently due to the drug distribution. He said everything have been recorded by the CCTV so the suspects cannot deny it.
Watch this interview below.
info, photos by PDEA Regional Office X
