COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Anti-drug operatives arrested on Tuesday a suspected drug pusher who allegedly worked for a drug syndicate operating in this city and in Maguindanao, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
Marlon Santos, deputy director of the PDEA regional office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said PDEA agents also seized from suspect Samin Agao Kusain about 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” with an estimated market value of P350,000.
Santos said Kusain was a high value target and member of a local armed group. He was a former barangay secretary of Barangay Katidtuan, Maguindanao.
Kusain was arrested during the bust at about 3 p.m. along Don Rufino Alonzo Avenue, in Cotabato City. Police said Kusain’s wife eluded arrest.
Police said Kusain is now detained at the PDEA custodial facility in Cotabato City, facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comrehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./muf