COTABATO CITY – An active police officer and 11 others were arrested and two drug dens dismantled during separate anti-drug operations in Maguindanao del Norte on Wednesday afternoon.
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) led the operation in Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat town and in Barangay Tamontaka in Datu Odin Sinsuat, both in Maguindanao del Norte at 5 p.m.
PDEA-Maguindanao Operations Officer Asnawi Salik said the drug buy-bust operation was launched after intelligence information confirmed the existence of a drug den in Sitio Tugunon of Barangay Salimbao.
Salik said Saheiden Utto, one of the target drug personalities, quickly escaped after sensing the approaching lawmen.
Salik identified the arrested drug suspects as Police Master Sgt. Sarip Mastura, Kasumi Quindapa, Esmael Macalbas, Sam Sandakan, Michael Compaña, Jamil Macalimbol and Tato Madin, all residents of Barangay Salimbao.
Seized from them were undetermined amount of suspected meth, a police issued Glock 17 pistol with ammunition and paraphernalia for using the illicit substance.
Two hours later, PDEA agents also arrested six persons and dismantled a suspected drug den in Barangay Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte.
Salik said the operation was conducted in Zone 3, Barangay Tamontaka after a week-long surveillance operation.
The drug den-cum-gambling den was also dismantled. The main target of theboperation was Juliet Torres Gori, a resident of Barangay Tamontaka, who allegedly owned the illegal gambling area. Also arrested were five of Gori’s clients.
Salik said residents in the area have been complaining about illegal drug activities and called the attention of PDEA-Maguindanao.
Agents seized meth estimated to value P87,000, paraphernalia for using meth, and drug buy-bust money.
The suspects are now detained at the PDEA-BARMM detention facility awaiting filing of charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
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