ZAMBOANGA CITY – An alleged high-value target (HVT) drug pusher and five others were arrested while some PHP90,300 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in the region, police said Saturday.
The arrest of the drug suspects came as Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr., newly installed Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, instructed his men to heighten the anti-drug campaign.
Cambay identified the arrested drug suspects as Jesem Flores, 40; Ryan Ed Sobredo, 28; Abdulgani Salih Jr., 39; Vicente Oralde, 52; Jetty Jey Caloy, 29; and Elizaldo Garcia, 34.
He said Flores, listed as No. 6 municipal-level drug personality, was nabbed by a team of police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) personnel in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Militar, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur at about 10:40 p.m. on Friday.
Flores yielded some PHP20,000 worth of suspected shabu packed in different sizes of plastic sachets and the marked money used in the operation.
Upon his arrest in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sanito, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Sobredo had in his possession three sachets of suspected shabu of undetermined value and PHP500 marked money.
Meanwhile, recovered from Salih were some PHP1,500 worth of suspected shabu and PH500 marked money when he was apprehended in Barangay Baliwasan here at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Oralde yielded some PHP68,000 worth of suspected shabu and PHP500 marked money when arrested in Purok 1, Barangay Nabilid, Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte at about 5:40 p.m. on Friday.
Caloy, on the other hand, yielded some PHP800 worth of dried marijuana leaves and PHP500 marked money when nabbed in Barangay Tantingon, Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte at about 5:40 p.m. Friday.
Garcia was caught in possession of five sachets of suspected shabu of undetermined value and PHP200 marked money when caught in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cawit here.
Cambay said the arrested drug suspects are being detained while charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2000 are set to be filed against them. (PNA)
