BUSTED. The illegal drugs and paraphernalia confiscated from a former police officer during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Bagua Mother, Cotabato City on Wednesday night (Sept. 6, 2023). The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the suspect, Nelson Sali, has been under a month-long surveillance for illegal drug activities. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY – Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a former police officer and seized some PHP7.4 million worth of shabu following a buy-bust in this city on Wednesday night.
Jocelyn Mary, speaking for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), said Nelson Sali, 50, a former police officer, was arrested during the 8 p.m. operation in Barangay Bagua Mother.
Mary said the Sali earlier agreed to meet and sell several sachets of shabu. He was immediately nabbed after handing over the illegal stuff to an undercover agent.
“He did not resist arrest,” Mary said, noting that the information provided by local officials and citizens led to the success of the operation.
A follow-up operation and search led to the recovery of more shabu items from the suspect.
The suspect’s companion managed to escape during the sting operation.
Authorities seized from Sali 1,100 grams of shabu worth PHP7,480,000; a .45-caliber pistol, and a .38-caliber revolver.
Mary said Sali has been trafficking illegal drugs in Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao del Norte.
On Sept 5, PDEA-BARMM agents also arrested Toraife Saikol Andi and seized from him PHP3.4 million worth of shabu during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother.
On Sept. 1, three drug suspects were also arrested during a buy-bust along LR Sebastian Street that led to the recovery of PHP7.8 million worth of shabu. (PNA)
