(Image courtesy of PRO-13)
BUTUAN CITY – Authorities arrested three drug suspects and seized PHP13.6 million worth of “shabu” in a buy-bust Tuesday night in Barangay Lipata, Surigao City, police officials said.
In a report Wednesday, Police Regional Office-Caraga Region (PRO-13) Director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft said the confiscated illegal drugs weighed some two kilos.
Joint operatives from the PRO-13, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Philippine Coast Guard carried out the operation, he said.
He identified the suspects as Jamil Mawi, 48; Naif Abdul, 37; and Aminodin Ampaso, 33.
Both Mawi and Abdul are from Barangay Langkaan, Dasmariñas, Cavite; Ampaso is from Barangay Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte.
Maj. Jennifer Ometer, PRO-13 information office chief, said they earlier received a tip on the suspects traveling from Luzon and entering Caraga via the Lipata Port in Surigao City.
“These three are considered high-value individuals based on our intelligence report. A buy-bust was immediately conducted at the Lipata Port, resulting in the confiscation of the illegal drugs,” Ometer said in a phone interview.
Information gathered by PRO-13 indicated that the illegal drugs were to be delivered to Lanao del Norte and neighboring areas.
The operating team also confiscated from the suspects a pick-up truck they used in the transportation of the illegal drugs.
Kraft considered the operation as the biggest accomplishment of the PRO-13 in anti-illegal drugs under his command.
The suspects will be charged with the violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
