KORONADAL CITY -- Police arrested two suspected drug pushers who were also tagged as behind a string of motorcycle theft cases in a buy-bust operation here on Sunday afternoon.
Supt. Ronald Allan Peñaverde, Koronadal City police chief, identified the suspects as Ibrahim Lucas and Muhaledin Mustapha Madag, both residents of Sultan Mastura town in Maguindanao.
He said the two were nabbed at around 1:20 p.m. following an entrapment at a portion of General Santos Drive in Barangay Zone IV.
The official said the suspects conspired to sell a sachet of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu to a police officer who posed as a buyer.
Recovered from the two were two medium packs and a large pack of suspected shabu, two caliber .45 handguns loaded with bullets, 15 bullets, a hand grenade, three improvised master keys, a susppected stolen motorcycle and a P1,000 marked bill, he said.
Aside from peddling illegal drugs, Peñaverde said the suspects were reportedly involved in motorcycle theft.
He cited the recovery of the master keys that were supposedly used by the suspects in their illegal activities.
Citing intelligence reports, the police official said Lucas is considered as among the leaders of a group of motorcycle thieves operating in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
Lucas admitted to reporters that he had engaged in a number of motorcycle theft activities but denied being a leader of a group.
He said they usually stolen motorcycles in the area to patrons in Maguindanao at P16,000 to P20,000 each.
Senior Supt. Nestor Salcedo, South Cotabato police director, said they are currently looking into the possible involvement of the suspects in other illegal activities.
He said they were verifying reports that the two were rogue members of a Moro rebel group based in Maguindanao.
The suspects, who are currently detained at the Koronadal City police station lock up, are facing charges of selling and possession of dangerous drugs, illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosive, and motorcycle theft.(AMS/PNA)
