ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have arrested three drug suspects, including a couple, in separate anti-drug operations in this city, a top PDEA official said Wednesday.
The arrest came after the PDEA stepped up its campaign against illegal drugs in line with the war against drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Lyndon Aspacio, PDEA regional director, identified the arrested suspects as Donie Muksan, 46, and his wife, Carmen Saji, 36, and Benhar Asta, 36.
Aspacio said the couple were arrested at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday along Cabatangan Road in Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.
Aspacio said they yielded more or less 5.3 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of PhP6,500 and PhP500 marked money.
Aspacio said cases of violation of Sections 26 (Attempt or Conspiracy) in relation to Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the couple.
He said Asta was arrested at around 4 p.m. on the same day along Gov. Ramos Avenue, Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.
He said confiscated from Asta’s possession were a gram of suspected shabu packed in two plastic sachets worth PhP3,000 and PhP500 marked money.
He said Asta will be charged with violations of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of Article II of R. A. 9165.
He said the suspects are now detained at the headquarters of the PDEA regional office in this city. (PNA)
