72 drug suspects nabbed in Tagum raids

DAVAO CITY — At least 72 drug suspects were arrested in a two-day operation by police and narcotics agents in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, officials on Sunday said.

Rodito Canada, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) head in Davao del Norte, said authorities seized three big packs of suspected shabu (crystal meth) weighing at least 33 grams and nine smaller sachets, drug paraphernalia, and 26 motorcycles in the raids in Barangays Madaum and San Isidro.

The operations, conducted from Saturday until Sunday morning, targeted three areas used as drug dens in the two villages.

Among those arrested were Angelito Alcaide, Tagum’s top 7 most wanted; and former soldier Roger Ugat.

Canada said the suspects were from Tagum, Compostela Valley province and the nearby cities of Panabo, Davao and even as far as Cotabato.

Forty-seven of the suspects were detained at the Tagum City police station detention facility while dozens others were brought to PDEA regional office in Davao City. /ee