ZAMBOANGA CITY – A high-value target (HVT) and 11 other individuals were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in the past week in this region, according to the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9).
The arrested HVT was identified as Jayboy Elorde, 31, a top 8 priority target in the police anti-drug campaign of Ipil, the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Col. Albert Larubis, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, on Saturday said Elorde was arrested around 11:20 p.m. Friday in Purok Dayang, Barangay Tiayon, Ipil.
Seized from Elorde were some PHP7,990 worth of suspected shabu packed in four heat-sealed plastic sachets and PHP500 marked money.
Two of the other 11 arrested suspects were tagged as street-level individuals (SLIs) peddling illegal drugs.
Larubis identified one of the two SLIs suspects as Jayrodin Palao, 29, who was arrested around 9:30 p.m. Friday in Barangay Lipacan, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, together with Jehaddin Madag, 27, a newly-identified illegal drug peddler.
Confiscated from the duo were some PHP51,496 worth of suspected shabu, a cellular phone, and PHP500 marked money.
He said the other SLI suspect, Jorie Hinay, 32, was arrested in possession of some PHP13,600 worth of suspected shabu and PHP500 marked money in an anti-drug operation around 11:55 p.m. Friday in Purok Orchids, Barangay San Isidro, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Maj. Shellamie Chang, PRO-9 information officer, said the remaining eight of the drug suspects were arrested in anti-drug operations from June 20 until June 23 in this city, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur. (PNA)
