Meth worth over P18 million seized in 5 days in Cotabato City

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY – Anti-narcotics agents arrested on Wednesday a former police officer during an anti-drug raid here and seized from him P7.4 million worth of suspected meth in intensified operations following the resurgence of the illegal drug trade in the city and its environs.

With the latest drug buy-bust operation, the haul of meth by anti-narcotics agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) has risen to P18.6 million since Sept. 1.

Agent Rose Mary, speaking for PDEA-BARMM, said Nelson Sali, 54, a former police officer, has been placed on tight surveillance after intelligence reports showed he was involved in the illegal drug trade, based on a tip from various informants.

At about 8 p.m. Wednesday, an undercover agent managed to secure several sachets of meth from Sali in Barangay Bagua Mother.

Sali was immediately arrested after he handed over the illegal stuff to the PDEA agent posing as a buyer, Mary said.

“He did not resist arrest,” Mary said, adding that Sali’s companion was able to flee.

Mary said Sali had been trafficking illegal drugs in Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao del Norte.

Aside from the 1.1 kilograms of meth worth P7,480,000, anti-narcotics agents also seized from him a caliber .45 pistol and a caliber .38 revolver.

On Tuesday night, PDEA-BARMM arrested Toraife Saikol Andi and seized from him P3.4 million worth of shabu during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother.

PDEA Regional Director Christina Frivaldo, in a report, also said that three men were arrested during a buy-bust operation along LR Sebastian Street on Sept. 1 which led to the recovery of P7.8 million worth of meth.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao has ordered an intensified campaign against illegal drugs to stem the resurgence of the drug trade.

READ: P7.8 million worth of meth seized, 3 men nabbed in Cotabato City drug sting