5 nabbed, P272-K shabu seized in Zambo City drug ops

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Five people were arrested while some PHP272,500 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in this southern port city, a top police official said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, identified the arrested suspects as Allan Lacandalo, 43, businessman; Ryan Sipin, 26; Jansen Elmi, 29; Francis Climaco, 27; and Salip Pulalon, 24.

Quidilla said Lacandalo and Sipin were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Winggo Subdivision, Barangay Sta. Maria, this city on Thursday.

Seized from the two were some PHP250,000 worth of suspected shabu packed in 13 heat-sealed plastic sachets, PHP500 in marked money, a digital weighing scale, and a pouch, police said.

Meanwhile, police said Elmi was caught in possession of some PHP15,000 worth of suspected shabu packed in eight plastic sachets
and PHP200 in marked money when arrested in Barangay Sta Catalina at about 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

Police said seized from the possession of Climaco were some PHP5,000 worth of suspected shabu when he was arrested in Sitio Malasiga, Barangay San Roque at about 4:50 p.m. Thursday.

Also seized from Climaco’s possession were a fragmentation grenade and PHP200 in marked money, police added.

Police said Pulalon, who was arrested in Barangay Talon-Talon on Thursday evening, was caught in possession of some PHP2,500 worth of suspected shabu packed in five plastic sachets, and PHP300 in marked money.

The arrested suspects were being detained and charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are set to be filed against them. (PNA)