QC cops nab 6 suspects, seize illegal drugs, firearm

At first glance, the place looked like your typical beer garden or "a haven for beer drinkers" as 61-year-old tenant Manuel Cunanan allows friends and even strangers to meet, hang-out, drink, and have fun.

However, the place is more known for drug peddlers and users alike.

Quezon City police anti-drug ops yield illegal drugs, firearm. PHOTO BY SDEU - INTELLIGENCE BRANCH QCPD STATION 4

Operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the QCPD Station 4 headed by Police Senior Inspector Dennis Francisco spent a week-long surveillance on the area and initiated a buy-bust operation, which led to the confiscation of at least 1 gram of suspected shabu with an estimated street value amounting to P6,800.

The place was initially put up for drinking sessions but it turned out to be a front to hide their illegal drug activities, Francisco said.

Cunanan, the target of the operation was first person arrested by cops according to Police Supt. Rossel Cejas, Commander of the Novaliches Station.

"He rented the make-shift house situated at the middle of a huge vacant lot in Bgy Bagbag in Quezon City. Aside from Cunanan's friends and neighbors, visitors from nearby barangays and other cities frequent the area not only to engage in a heavy drinking session but also to take drugs," Cejas added.

Two other suspects, Cunanan's brother Jose and his friend Bonifacio Rivas, were also arrested during the operation. Each of them yielded a sachet of suspected shabu.

Jose's house was also used as a haven for shabu users. Authorities recovered several drug paraphernalia, including foils with traces of suspected shabu.

Three more drug suspects were apprehended also in buy bust operation in Barangay Sta. Monica on Wednesday afternoon. They were identified as John Louie Soriano, Willy Santos  and Jhonney Casiola. The arrest yielded 15 sachets of suspected shabu amounting to P13,600.

The cops also recovered 1 sachet of marijuana leaves, improvised caliber 22 pistol, a magazine and some ammunition from the suspects, who denied owning the contraband seized from the house.

All six suspects will be facing charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 while additional charges for violation of RA 10591 or Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in relation to the Omnibus Election Code will be filed against Casiola. — BAP, GMA News