BUSTED. Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) and the police arrest 10 individuals in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on Wednesday (Aug. 12, 2020) (upper photo) and Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte on Tuesday (Aug. 11, 2020) (lower photo). Authorities seized a total of PHP170,000 worth of illegal drugs during the separate operations. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-9)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Backed by the police, operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested 10 individuals and "dismantled" two drug dens in separate operations in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, a PDEA official said Thursday.
Emerson Margate, PDEA 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, said five of the 10 suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday, resulting in the dismantling of a drug den in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Margate identified the five as Suraida Ascalon, Aton Ascalon, and Sandra Andoy, all alleged drug den maintainers; Roldan Pilapil and Jalma Ascalon, suspected drug den visitors.
Law enforcers recovered from the drug den some 15 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP102,000, a black purse, illegal drug paraphernalia, and other pieces of evidence, he said.
The other five suspects were arrested in an anti-drug operation inside a drug den in Barangay Olingan, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte at about 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Margate identified them as Jonbert Lakkian, 21, a target-listed and alleged drug den maintainer; James Jala, 21, suspected drug den co-maintainer; Roel Dugho, 19, and Kane Barte, 18, alleged drug den employees; and Hurly David Arcamo, suspected drug den visitor.
Confiscated from them were some 10 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP68,000 and PHP300 worth of dried marijuana leaves.
Cases for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against the suspects, Margate said. (PNA)
