14 suspects arrested in ‘One Time, Big Time’ drug operations

TACURONG CITY — Fourteen persons were arrested in the “One Time, Big Time” anti-drug operations of the police here and in five towns in Sultan Kudarat province, police said.

Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, chief of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office, said raids were conducted in succession Tuesday in the towns of Bagumbayan, Esperanza, Isulan, Lambayong and President Quirino and in Tacurong City. Police seized seven unlicensed firearms from the suspects.

“These people have been in the police watch list for their involvement in the illegal drug trade as users and peddlers,” Supiter told reporters.

The raiding teams, armed with search warrants, also recovered 32 sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) from the suspects who are now detained at police lock-up cells.

Some of the suspects showed up to police offices last year during the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Oplan Double Barrel” and “Oplan Tokhang.”

“Some are high-value targets,” he added.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against the suspects. /atm