‘Emerging drug personality’ nabbed in Koronadal City raid

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a businessman who was listed as an "emerging drug personality" in a raid in nearby Koronadal City on Wednesday evening.

Valente Cariño, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 12 director, said Thursday suspect Nathaniel Wilson Tse alias "Nat-nat," 26, was nabbed during a search operation at his home in Odi Street, Barangay Zone II in Koronadal at around 8:10 p.m.

Cariño said the operation, which was based on a search warrant issued by a regional court here, was backed by the local police of Koronadal City.

The search resulted to the recovery of about 1.5 grams of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated street value of PHP10,200, the PDEA official said.

He said Tse is a "newly-identified" drug personality in the city and was reportedly linked to other drug suppliers in Koronadal.

"He was monitored by PDEA for his association with drug personalities engaged in the spread of illegal drugs in Koronadal City, one of whom was arrested in a police operation last April," he said.

Tse, who is now detained at the PDEA-12 lockup here, would be charged for violation of Section 11 or possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act 165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)