By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Anti-narcotics agents have arrested a high-value target (HVT) and seized some P13.6 million worth of illegal drugs in an anti-drug operation in Lanao del Norte, an official said Monday.
In a report, Bryan Babang, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Zamboanga Peninsula (PDEA-9), identified the arrested suspect as alias “Salik,” 28, of Barangay Bangulo, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
“Salik was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 2:50 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte,” Babang said.
Salik’s cohort, identified as alias “Jan,” eluded arrest and is the subject of a manhunt operation.
Seized from Salik were two kilos of suspected shabu, bundles of boodle money, and two paper bags.
After the arrest, Babang said a hot pursuit operation was launched around 4 p.m. Sunday at Jan’s residence in Barangay Bagong Silang, Iligan City, which recovered five grams of shabu, but the suspect remains at large.
Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are readied against the suspects. .
The anti-drug operation was launched by operatives of PDEA-9 and PDEA-10 (Northern Mindanao) with the support of the police units in Lanao del Norte.
An investigation is underway to determine whether Salik has ties with the alleged big-time illegal drug trader arrested in Zamboanga City on August 19, who yielded 67 kilos of suspected shabu worth P455.6 million. (PNA)
