LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — A suspected drug pusher was killed after he engaged policemen in a gunfight during a buy-bust operation in Polangui town in Albay province on Wednesday night, a report reaching the Albay police on Thursday, said.
Arlan Sadia, a resident of Barangay (village) Hererra in Ligao City, fired at policemen who were trying to arrest him, prompting the latter to fire back, said Senior Supt. Celso Arcueno, Albay police director.
The buy-bust operation happened at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday along a road in Barangay Balinad, Polangui, some 30 kilometers from this city.
Sadia died while being taken to the Isip Hospital in Polangui.
Arcueno, in a text message, said police recovered two 9mm handguns, several plastic sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), marked money and Sadia’s motorcycle in the crime scene.
Arcueno said Sadia’s death brought to two the number of suspected drug pushers killed in a shootout with policemen since the police’s anti-drug campaign, Oplan Double Barrel, was launched in Albay this month.
He said 306 illegal drug users and traders surrendered to the police from July 1 to 6.
Police held 16 anti-drug operations where 11 suspected drug pushers and five drug users were arrested. SFM
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