2 drug peddlers nabbed; drugs worth P113k seized in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY –– Anti-narcotics agents seized more than P100,000 worth of suspected shabu and arrested two peddlers in Pikit, Cotabato Monday afternoon.

Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Cotabato provincial police office, and police Special Forces Company served the search warrants against Abu Matalam, 43, and Noel Rama in separate areas in Pikit.

Government forces seized 100 sachets of shabu with a market value of P102,000 from Matalam, a farmer and resident of Barangay Batulawan.

Naravy Duquiatan, PDEA director for the Soccsksargen region, said a cal. 30 carbine rifle with ammunition and P14,000 cash were also seized from Matalam.

“He is a high-value target who is peddling drugs in Pikit and nearby towns,” Duquiatan said.

In a separate operation, government forces also arrested Rama, a farmer, and a resident of Barangay Ladtingan, who was listed as a street-level pusher.

Seized from Rama were 10 sachets of shabu estimated to cost P13,600.

Charges for violation of the dangerous drugs law will be filed against the suspects. Matalam also faces charges for violation of the law on gun possession./lzb