Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA 7) conducted simultaneous anti-drug operations in Cebu City on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, leading to the shutdown of two illicit drug dens and multiple arrests.
Major Bust in Sambag 1: Minors Rescued
The more significant operation unfolded at 5:50 p.m. in Sitio San Jose, Barangay Sambag 1. PDEA 7 operatives, acting on a two-week intelligence case build-up, raided a den run by two individuals known only as Gasya, 51, and Peejey, 30.
Inside, agents apprehended five individuals allegedly caught in the act of using shabu. The suspects were identified as:
- Alias Christian, 27, from Sambag 1
- Alias Louie, 50, a construction painter from Talamban
- Alias Glenn, 43, a construction worker from Talamban
- Alias Jessa, 32, a production operator from Busay
- Alias Henry, 49, a driver from Malabuyoc
Most critically, the operation led to the rescue of two minors, aged 12 and 16, both from Sambag 1. They were immediately placed under the care of the Cebu City Social Welfare and Development Office for protection and intervention.
Authorities confiscated 19 packets of shabu weighing eight grams, with an estimated street value of P54,400. Buy-bust money and various drug paraphernalia were also seized.
Labangon Drug Den Dismantled Hours Earlier
In a separate but related crackdown, PDEA 7 agents first targeted a drug den in Sitio Pablo, Barangay Labangon, at 2:22 p.m. on the same day. This den had been under surveillance since October 2025, with the operator reportedly selling up to 35 grams of shabu weekly.
The raid resulted in the arrest of three individuals:
- Alias Alvin, 45, the alleged target and operator of the den.
- Alias Tereso, 46, a construction worker from Labangon.
- Alias Jaime, 24, also a construction worker from Labangon.
From this location, operatives recovered seven packets of shabu weighing 10 grams, valued at approximately P68,000, along with drug paraphernalia.
Suspects Face Severe Penalties
All arrested suspects are now detained at the PDEA 7 detention facility in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. The confiscated drugs have been submitted to the PDEA 7 Regional Office Laboratory for chemical analysis.
According to PDEA 7 Information Officer Leia Alcantara, cases are being prepared against the suspects. Those who operated the dens face life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Individuals caught inside the dens may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and fined P500,000.
One of the arrestees, alias Glenn, has a prior record, having been arrested in a separate drug case in 2019 but was later released following a plea bargain.
The successful back-to-back operations underscore PDEA 7's intensified campaign against drug distribution networks in urban Cebu, particularly those endangering vulnerable community members like minors.
