COTABATO CITY - Anti-narcotic agents here arrested a high-value target drug suspect and seized some PHP1.2-million worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation on Thursday evening.
Juvenal Azurin, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM), identified the suspect as Aladin Sindato alias “Oting”, of Barangay Ungap, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The drug buy-bust operation occurred at the corner of Don Rufino Alonzo St. and Quezon Avenue, this city at 7:30 p.m.
PDEA agents pounced on the suspect after handing over three jumbo-sized packets of shabu weighing 150 grams to a poseur-buyer.
“We have long been looking for him and chanced upon him when he surfaced and transacted with one of our agents,” Azurin told reporters here Friday.
He said Sindato was monitored carrying out illegal drug activities in Cotabato City and nearby Maguindanao province.
The suspect is currently detained at the lockup of the PDEA-ARMM headquarters here as charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) are being readied against him.
Police agents on Thursday also collared a 32-year-old drug suspect transacting with a poseur-buyer along Yap-Sia St. here.
Arrested during the 3 p.m. sting operation was Algin Angot Tangalon of Barangay Rosary Heights 9.
“The suspect has been in our radar for quite a time so we launched an operation to get him," said Chief Insp. Efren Salazar, city police station 2 commander.
Confiscated from the suspect was a sachet of shabu and the PHP200 marked money. (PNA)
