P2.5M-worth of ‘shabu’ seized, 2 nabbed in Sultan Kudarat

COTABATO CITY—Anti-narcotics agents in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Sunday arrested two suspected big time drug peddlers and seized P2.5 million-worth of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in Barangay (village) Pinaring, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Juvenil Azurin, director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-ARMM), said charges were being prepared against suspects Jojet Sapal and Abdulfatah Mamalinta who are now detained.

Using their mobile phones, the PDEA operatives communicated with Sapal and Mamalinta for a P2.5-million drug deal in Barangay Pinaring, Sultan Kudarat on Sunday.

Azurin said that the raiding team also seized two .45 caliber pistols from the duo.

He added that both will also be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591, which bans carrying of unlicensed firearms, especially in Mindanao where Martial Law exists.

Azurin said it was the biggest haul of shabu seized by PDEA-ARMM in a single operation.

On Saturday, joint police and PDEA forces arrested Datukan Salik and wife Fatima in a drug buy-bust operation at a shopping mall in Cotabato City.

He said the suspects operate a drug ring with the Saliks as major operators./rga