THE police have arrested the alleged drug dealer of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in an anti-drug operation in downtown Zamboanga City, an official announced Wednesday, September 28.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the arrested suspect as Arnisar Ismaluddin alias Alih, 34, of Martirez Drive, San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu.

Beltran said Ismaluddin was arrested in a drug bust operation around 12 p.m., Tuesday, in front of the historical Plaza Pershing along I. Magno Street.

The arresting policemen seized from the possession of Ismaluddin a medium-size heat-sealed plastic sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," a small-size heat-sealed plastic sachet of "shabu" and P300 of three P100 bills marked money.

Beltran said Ismaluddin is involved in the illegal drugs transactions of the ASG and in the killings of soldiers, policemen, and civilians in Jolo, Sulu.

The suspect belongs to the group of the late ASG-Urban Terrorist Group sub-leader Mohammad Said alias Ama Maas based in Patikul, Sulu.