POLICEMEN backed by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have arrested five persons and seized more than P70,000 worth of illegal drugs in an anti-drug operation in Pagadian City, a top police official said Tuesday, September 1.

Police Brigadier General Jesus Cambay Jr., Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the arrested suspects as Ivanris Garan Capisen, 23; Raymund Ocno Culanag, 22; Ace Saberon Devilleres, 19; Jayarose Sanopao Albaracin, 19; and Rosanna Gadia Catabay, 21.

Cambay said they were arrested by joint police and PDEA team in a buy-bust operation around 8:30 p.m. Monday at a lodging house in Purok Nangka, Banale village, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Seized from the suspects were 11 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of P74,8000, a pouch, and P1,000 marked money.

Cambay said the suspects were detained while charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them. (SunStar Zamboanga)