PDEA nabs Davao Occidental farmer in list of suspected drug peddlers

DAVAO CITY--A farmer included on the top ten list of alleged drug peddlers in Davao Occidental was arrested by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives during a buy-bust operation in Jose Abad Santos town on Tuesday afternoon.

PDEA-11 information officer Noli Dimaandal identified the suspect as Jimmy Mansur, 40, and a resident of Barangay Balangunan of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Dimaandal said Mansur was arrested outside his house after he sold to a PDEA Agent, who acted as poseur-buyer, about a kilo of marijuana valued at PHP10,000. When frisked, another 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated value of Php68,000 was also confiscated from him.

The operatives also recovered the marked money used in the operation, Dimaanda said, adding that "Mansur is the Number 9 on the Regional Target List." Mansur is now detained at PDEA 11 detention facility in Davao City.

Authorities said Mansur will be charged for violation of sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)