THREE alleged big-time drug personalities, two of them businessmen, were arrested while some P6.8 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in an anti-drug operation in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, a top police official said Monday, December 28, 2020.
Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified the arrested suspects as Crimalde Tarawi, 53, of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, businessman; Basir Alano, 48, of Jolo, Sulu, businessman; and Albasir Masihul, 26, a seaweed farmer from Sawa village, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The three were arrested in a buy-bust operation around 2:15 p.m. Sunday in Lumbog village, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Recovered from the three suspects were a kilo of suspected shabu worth P6.8 million packed in 18 large-sized heat-sealed plastic sachets, 20 bundles of P1,000 bills as boodle money topped with P1,000 genuine bill placed in an eco bag and a sports utility vehicle.
Ylagan said the three suspects, now detained at the detention cell of Imelda Municipal Police Station, will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
He commended the relentless efforts of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group and other police units for the notable accomplishment in the fight against illegal drugs in the region.
He added that the operation is in adherence to the marching orders of General Debold Sinas, Philippine National Police chief, to intensify the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operation in the region. (SunStar Zamboanga)