Ex-cop held for links to int’l drug syndicate

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —Lawmen on Thursday arrested a former policeman on charges of involvement in an international drug syndicate that reportedly supports extremist groups in western Mindanao.

The suspect, identified as Pon Mohammad Mansul, was collared by policemen and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation during a raid in Barangay (village) Las Piñas, the city police reported.

The police described Mansul as an operative of East Asia Drug Syndicate, which allegedly provides financial support to rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf.

His activities allegedly covered this city and the neighboring areas of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces. Liza Jocson, Inquirer Mindanao