Police find drugs, paraphernalia on altar in Los Baños, Laguna

The corner of a house usually set aside for prayers and religious items were used to consume drugs, this was discovered by the police during a raid on a house in Los Baños, Laguna, which was allegedly used as a drug den by tricycle and jeepney drivers.

A report by GMA News' John Consulta on "24 Oras" on Thursday showed drug paraphernalia used to consume illegal drugs on the altar inside suspect Joselito Alborida's home.

There were drug money and drug paraphernalia found inside a buko pie box. Several foil strips and other drug paraphernalia were also discovered tucked inside a bible.

"Dun siya nagbebenta tapos ino-offer niya yung lugar, kung saan dun na rin sila bumabatak. At yun nga, ang masaklap nito, dun pa mismo sa altar nila," Los Banos Police Chief P/Supt. Vic Cabatingan said.

Alborida, 46, admitted to using shabu but denied using the altar.

"'Di sir, yun lang kasi yung ilaw, wala kasing ilaw, nakikabit lang," he said. "Yung ibang nagamit, pag umalis, basta na lang iniiwan dun," he told GMA News.

The police also seized a notebook containing names of Alborida's clients.

Meanwhile, Cabatingan encouraged neighbors to give information to police to aid in their investigation.

"Yung pagsugpo sa droga, effort po niyan ng lahat, so sana po makipagtulungan kayo at makakaasa kayo tutugunan namin yan, lalo na dito sa Los Baños PNP," he said.

The police is set to conduct a follow-up operation to find the people listed in Alborida's black book. — Rie Takumi/BAP, GMA News