TWO people, suspected to be big-time drug pushers, were arrested in separate drug busts as the campaign against illegal drugs continue in Zamboanga Peninsula, a top police official said Tuesday, May 21.

Police Brigadier General Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the arrested suspects as Norman Balwit Catipay, 22, a motor parts online seller, and Benzar Mercado Arajo, 32.

Licup said Catipay was caught in possession of some P50,000 worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) when arrested around 10:15 p.m. Monday at Purok Banicapt in Galas village, Dipolog City.

Confiscated from Catipay were P1,000 cash, and a cellular phone, he added.

Licup said Catipay was arrested by joint police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives.

He said some P2,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized from Araji when he was arrested around 10:20 p.m. Monday at a cockpit in Sinunuc village, Zamboanga City.

The police director said also confiscated from the possession of Araji were P200 marked money.

He added the two suspects were detained pending the filing of appropriate charges against them. (SunStar Philippines)