Navotas drug raid: 9 busted

An estimated R225,000 worth of shabu were seized in a raid that resulted in the arrest of nine drug suspects, including an alleged notorious drug peddler in Navotas City on Friday.

Anti-narcotics agents of the Navotas City police seized at least 14 sachets of shabu weighing around 4.5 grams each when they raided shanties reportedly used as a drug den in Market 3.

Among those arrested was fisherman Bernardino Aquino, 34, of Navotas City.

Sr. Supt. Brent Madjaco, Navotas City police chief, said Aquino is included in the illegal drugs watchlist and is a known drug peddler in the area.

Madjaco also disclosed that Aquino was previously detained for a drug case.

The operation also led to the arrest of Manuel Rajib, 24; Eden Joy Balotabot, 24; Nolie Aguirre, 28; Ariel Boston, 35; Dexter Abapo, 35; Divina Dolores, 44; Charline Masungari, 46; Gemma Baguin, 50, all residents of Barangay NBBN in Navotas City.

Navotas police officers were conducting anti-crime operations in the area at around 6:30 p.m. when they spotted Aquino handing over several sachets of shabu worth R2,000 to one Benjie Canete.

Aquino was promptly apprehended while Canete made good his escape.

Rajib, who was in the vicinity, was accosted and yielded several sachets of shabu.

The eight other suspects were arrested in a shanty while engaged in a drug session.