TWO top targets of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group were arrested in separate anti-narcotics operations this week which led to the confiscation of over P1 million worth of shabu, PDEG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar P. Matta said yesterday.

The official said that one of the suspects was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Yubenco. Bgy. Tetuan in Zamboanga City conducted by undercover officers of the PDEG Special Operations Unit 9, with the support of the Police Regional Office 9.

Confiscated from the suspect who was described as a 33-year-old male resident of Bgy. Asinan were three heat-sealed plastic sachets containing around 150 grams of the “poor man’s cocaine” valued at P1.020 million.

The suspect is now being held at the Zamboanga City Police Station 6 lock-up facility.

The other suspect who was identified only as alias “Ampatuan/Ampats,” a 52-year-old male resident of Sual, Pangasinan, was arrested in an anti-drug raid in Bgy. Paitan West in the same municipality past 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Members of the PDEG SOU 1 conducted the anti-drug operation, with the help of the PRO1. Armed, with a search warrant for illegal drugs issued by Judge Loreto Alog Jr. of the Lingayen, Pangasinan Regional Trial Court Branch 69.

Officers raided the residence of the suspect and placed him under arrest after they recovered some five grams of shabu worth P34,000 in his room.

Both arrested suspects are facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, said Brig. Gen. Matta.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon