BUY-BUST. Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Northern Mindanao and National Bureau of Investigation arrest two suspects in a buy-bust in Iligan City on Saturday (July 20, 2024). The seizure of shabu worth PHP6.8 million was the region's biggest haul so far this year. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Suspects arrested in Northern Mindanao's biggest anti-drug operation this year have links with alleged Chinese suppliers in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Lawyer Benjamin Gaspi, Acting Regional Director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10), revealed this during a press briefing on Monday, referring to the PHP6.8-million buy-bust with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Iligan City on Saturday.
"The shabu we seized have Chinese characters printed on its package and our information showed that from NCR, they transported it by land going to Mindanao," he said.
PDEA-10 and NBI agents arrested two suspects, both aged 24, and seized a shabu package weighing over one kilogram.
Gaspi said the suspects, who are residents of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, were mere "trustees" of the leading operator who is based in Manila.
"This took months to negotiate with them as our covert agents had to transact several times with different point persons," he said.
According to PDEA-10, it was the biggest seizure of illegal drugs in a single operation they had so far this year.
PDEA-10 agents suspect that the shabu supply from NCR will be distributed to other parts of Mindanao, not just the region. (PNA)
