JOINT Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and police operatives have arrested three known drug personalities, including an alleged crime gang member, in separate anti-illegal drugs operations in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, a top PDEA official announced Monday, January 27.

PDEA Regional Director Emerson Margate identified the arrested suspects as Alhajer Enriquez, 23, John Cris Luna and Eduard Gregorio, 38.

Margate said Enriquez, a crime group member, was arrested in a drug bust around 8:40 a.m. Saturday, January 25 at Purok Sampaguita in Tenan Village, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Recovered from his possession were some P40,800 worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu”, packed in three heat-sealed plastic sachets, P500 marked money, a motorcycle, and illegal drug paraphernalia.

Margate said Luna, a target-listed drug personality, was caught in possession of some P1,000 worth of suspected shabu when arrested in a drug bust around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, January 25 at Purok Lubi in Lumbia Village, Ipil.

Also seized from Luna was P500 bill utilized as drug bust money.

Margate said Gregorio, also a target-listed drug personality, was arrested in another drug bust around 10:10 p.m. on the same day at Purok A in the village of Lumbayao, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The official said recovered from Gregorio were some P1,000 worth of suspected shabu, P500 marked money, and P640 cash of different denominations.

He said cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed in court against the suspects, who were detained. (SunStar Zamboanga)