BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Twelve people were arrested in a drug den during a surprise search warrant operation conducted by personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at a canteen in Barangay Sto. Niño, Baguio City, on April 17.

According to the PDEA, the suspects were unable to escape while inside a canteen believed to be distributing local drugs at the slaughterhouse compound of the aforementioned barangay.

During the search, authorities recovered 10 sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 21 grams, with an estimated street value of P142,800 and various drug paraphernalia at the scene.

Twelve individuals were arrested, subject to a search warrant identified as Alyas “Stong/Estong”, 39; Alyas “Jay”, 33 and Alyas “Kiday”, 40, all residents of Sto. Niño, Baguio City, while the other arrested suspect is from Baguio City and neighboring provinces.

All the suspect were charged with violation of Sections 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The operation was a collaborative initiative led by the PDEA RO-CAR Baguio/Benguet Provincial Office and Baguio City Police Station 6, supported by a strong group of units, which included PDEA units: Abra Provincial Office, RSET, and LTIU; as well as PNP Units: BCPO Station 2, BCPO-City Drug Enforcement Unit, PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit, and the City Intelligence Team Baguio RIU14.