7 drug offenders charged

THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has filed a case for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, against seven people before the office of the city prosecutor.

Senior Inspector Elmer Solon, ZCPO chief for intelligence, said the case filed against the suspects, including one pusher, was for violation of Sections 5, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Article II of Republic Act 9165.

Solon identified the seven respondents as Amman Samman, 42; Kathy Samman, 27; Alhissam Bacundo, 19; Edgar Arcillas, 37; Mario De Leon, 18; Jayson Torres, 36; and Rex Paghacian, 22.

Solon said the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation last Monday at Smile Travelers Inn, in the village of Sta. Maria.

Solon said (Amman) Samman, who was occupying a room in a budget hotel, was the first arrested.

Samman was arrested after he sold methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, in exchange for P300 to an undercover policeman, Solon said.

Confiscated from Samman’s possession were two sachets of shabu and three pieces of P100 marked money.

The other six suspects were caught having a pot session inside the room occupied by Samman, the police official said.

The suspects except Arcillas have availed themselves of 15 days waiver pursuant to Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines and were detained at the local police headquarters, according to Solon.

Arcillas posted bail of P40,000, Solon said. (Bong Garcia)