Troops, PDEA raid drug den in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 23, 2011) – Security forces raided a drug den in the southern Philippine city of Marawi and seized some 200 packets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as shabu, officials said on Saturday.

Officials said at least 45 people, including three local policemen, were taken into custody during the raid Friday on a village called Lumber.

Two M16 automatic rifles and an M203 grenade launcher were also seized by soldiers and anti-drug agents, said Army Daniel Lucero, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade.

“It was one of the biggest joint anti-drug operations in Marawi City. The proliferation of illegal drugs is the main problem in Marawi and Lanao del Sur province. It is the root of criminality in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City,” he told regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Lucero and Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Layese, of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, led troops and PDEA agents in the anti-drug operation following intelligence information provided by civilians to the military.

Lucero said a PDEA agent disguised as drug buyer penetrated the drug den and signaled the raiders that led to the arrest of suspected couriers and drug pushers. (Mindanao Examiner)