Village councilman nabbed for maintaining drug den

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 11 (PNA) – A village councilman here did not resist when the police nabbed him Thursday for allegedly maintaining drug den and for keeping suspected drugs and various drug paraphernalia in his house.

Arrested was Dennis Alvarez known as “Joyjoy”, 32, elected village councilman in the city’s District 13, but currently living in Can-adieng village where the raid was held.

Alvarez did not deny he owns the nine small sachets of suspected prohibited substance, dried marijuana leaves, weighing scale and several drug paraphernalia that were yielded in a search.

Some sachets were even found inside pen case. Cash amounting to PHP505 of various currencies including several coins were also seized from his pocket.

The suspect confirmed selling illegal drugs and that he opened his house as drug den only to relatives and close friends.

He also claimed being “user” especially during their gig as mobile sound operator.

Also nabbed were Alvarez’ visitors Junrey Aniceto, 22, single, construction helper and resident of nearby Punta village; Irajuippoces Gonzalo, 30, single, jobless; Romeo Sato, 29, single from Dist. 29; Ulysses Tabudlong, 37, married, village watchman in Dist. 13; Angelo Atenciana, 19, single, construction worker and native of Pulilio Island, Quezon province; and Rodel D. Tulabin, 26, single, also a construction worker from Infanta, Quezon and currently lives in Isabel town in Leyte.

No prohibited items taken from them in the procedural body search however, all confirmed they are drug “users.”

Alvarez underwent series of surveillance that on the process, the operatives bought illegal item from Alvarez, said Police Station 1 Deputy Chief Sr. Insp. Orlando Viacrucis.

The joint operation between PS1 and City Intelligence Branch headed by Chief Insp. Angelo Pueblo was equipped with a search warrant issued by Judge Clinton Nuevo of Regional Trial Court Branch 12.

Authorities are preparing to file charges against suspects for violating illegal drugs. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/Elvie Roman Roa/egr