Cotabato barangay candidate arrested over P100K worth of shabu

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday said a candidate for barangay councilor in Cotabato City was arrested for allegedly possessing more than P100,000 worth of shabu.

Alladin Matabalao Darping was arrested in Kapinpilan Mother Kalangalan, Cotabato City on May 11, three days before the 2018 Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said Darping was a former barangay official in Cotabato.

Drugs were reportedly confiscated from Darping after the police implemented a search warrant issued against him.

Seized from the suspect were 83 sachets of suspected shabu, weighing 15 grams each, and having a total estimated street value of P102,000.

Six passbooks, assorted documents, and two identification cards were also seized from the suspect.

Agents of the 5th Special Force Batallion, Philippine Army, and Criminal Investigation, Detection Group in ARMM, and local authorities were present when Darping was nabbed.

The suspect will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.  /vvp