A GOVERNMENT employee and four others were arrested, while P127,071 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, the police reported Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the arrested suspects as Christian Paul Velonta, 32; Jundel Tuñacao, 41; Noli Bali, 38; Bryan Perez, 41; and Abubacar Abison, 38.

Ylagan said that Velonta, an employee of the Provincial Government, was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 8:40 p.m. Monday in Purok Nangka in Banale village, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Recovered from Velonta were P10,404 worth of shabu, P1,000 marked money, a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition and a sling bag.

Ylagan said Tuñacao was caught in possession of 10 grams of shabu worth P68,000, a coin purse, and P500 marked money when arrested in an anti-drug operation around 10 p.m. Monday in San Roque village, Zamboanga City.

He said Bali yielded five grams of shabu worth P34,000, a coin purse, and P500 marked money when arrested in a buy-bust operation around 1 a.m. Tuesday in Zone III village, Zamboanga City.

Seized from Perez, meanwhile, were P13,600 worth of shabu, a coin purse and P200 marked money when arrested in a buy-bust operation around 8:40 p.m. Monday in Lunzuran village, Zamboanga City.

Abison was nabbed in possession of P1,067 worth of shabu and P500 marked money when arrested in an anti-drug operation around 1:55 p.m. Monday in Purok Makugihon in Tirso Babiera village, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Ylagan said formal charges will be filed against the arrested suspects, who are detained, while Velonta will face additional case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. (SunStar Zamboanga)