The Task Force 24 headed by SPO2 Manuel Sanchez arrested a drug peddler in a raid at Zone 3, Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City , Monday morning.

Sanchez, chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Negros Oriental, said they were tipped about the presence of two persons renting a room, and later identified as Bebet Santos and Dennis Diputado, of Pulantubig, Dumaguete.

NBI agent Miguel Dungog said the suspects were placed under surveillance for selling shabu when operatives recovered from them suspected drugs and paraphernalia, at the compound of Praxedes Academia in Zone 3.

Santos refused operatives entry to the room unless they have a search warrant, but the task force insisted on searching the area where they recovered a sachet of dried marijuana leaves, sealer, tooter, and other illegal drug paraphernalia.

The raid was witnessed by Barangay Looc Kagawad Bingbong Tamayo.

Police said Santos has a record of arrest in the 1990s for planting marijuana while he was residing at Fatima Subdivision, in Piapi.  He has availed of the probation law.

Meanwhile, Academia, the compound owner, said next time he will ensure that no drug personalities rent his place.

Two years ago, the compound was also searched and 11 individuals were arrested and charged in court, including the owner, for allegedly maintaining a drugs den.

The Task Force 24 is composed of the NBI, the Philippine National Police, the Maritime Command, and PDEA.*JG

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