American linked to illegal drugs held in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Police has detained a 46-year-old American citizen for a drug crime he committed in Naga City in November this year.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, regional director of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO9), said Thomas James Papalla from Phoenix, Arizona, was trying to leave the country for Malaysia, using the backdoor when intercepted by the police around 6 pm on Friday in Aguada village, Isabela City in Basilan.

“Papalla was held for questioning, being an undocumented alien about to go to Malaysia using the back door,” Beltran said.

While doing the record check, however, the Regional Intelligence Division found out about Papalla’s standing warrant of arrest for violation of Section 11 of  Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, concerning alleged importation of dangerous drugs.

Papalla was still detained at the Zamboanga City Police Office. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao