A DRUG personality who is considered a high-value target was arrested, while his cohort escaped in an anti-drug operation that netted a kilo of cocaine worth P5.3 million in Zamboanga City, an official said Thursday, October 31.
Lawyer Jacqueline De Guzman, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the arrested suspect as Timhar Alih, 45, a utility van driver.
Alih's cohort, a certain Asbi, eluded arrested and fled aboard a van upon sensing they were transacting illegal drugs with lawmen.
De Guzman said Alih was arrested in a drug bust conducted by a joint team of PDEA agents and policemen in a food chain outlet on Ruste Drive in the village of San Jose-Cawa-Cawa, Zamboanga City.
She said seized from Alih were more or less one kilogram of cocaine placed in a transparent plastic pack with an estimated value of P5.3 million, eight bundles of boodle money topped with one genuine P1,000 bill, a cellular phone, and other paraphernalia.
Alih will be charged with violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, said De Guzman. (SunStar Zamboanga)