A HIGH-VALUE target (HVT) and a newly identified drug personality were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, the police said Thursday, March 19.

Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Carlos Monteverde Dela Cruz, 31; and, Yasser Ararain, 27.

Galvez said Dela Cruz is a Top 2 priority target of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay while Ararain is a newly identified drug personality in Zamboanga City.

She said Dela Cruz was arrested by policemen and PDEA agents at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday in FL Peña Village, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Dela Cruz’s cohort, Jeje Wahab, an excavator operator, managed to elude arrest during the drug bust, the police officer said.

Galvez said seized from the possession of Dela Cruz were some P30,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), and P1,000 marked money.

Ararain was arrested around 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sitio Paminguitan in Bolong village, Zamboanga City, according to Galvez. Ararain yielded some P4,000 worth of suspected shabu and P200 marked money.

She said charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects, who were detained. (SunStar Zamboanga)