SEIZED. Agents of PDEA-BARMM conduct an inventory of PHP3.4 million worth of shabu left behind by Santokan Mantikayan, a high-value target drug suspect, who escaped an entrapment operation in Barangay Poblacion, Talayan, Maguindanao on Wednesday (June 16, 2021). The suspect also left his motorcycle upon escaping from authorities. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM)
TALAYAN, Maguindanao – Anti-narcotics operatives on Wednesday afternoon seized PHP3.4-million worth of shabu from a drug suspect who evaded arrest.
Director Juvenal Azurin, of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), identified the subject of anti-drug operation as Santokan Mantikayan, a high-value target.
“Mantikayan was to hand over the half kilo suspected shabu to an undercover agent but quickly ran off when he realized he was dealing with a law enforcer during the 2 p.m. drug sting,” Azurin told reporters here Thursday.
Azurin said the suspect could have been kept or given sanctuary by armed groups operating in remote areas of this town after he escaped from government forces.
"The Talayan police and the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion are currently helping us in our follow-up operations to get the target (person),” he said.
Upon his escape, Mantikayan also left behind his motorbike he has been using in drug-peddling activities.
Azurin said Mantikayan belongs to an organized drug ring operating in Maguindanao. (PNA)
