LAWMEN have arrested five persons and seized P54,000 worth of illegal drugs in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga Peninsula, the police reported Monday, May 10.
Police Major Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Ernesto Vertudazo Jr., 28; Cesar Tipolo, 29; Jonelle Peralta, 33; Cerelino Gabas; 41; and Pilardo Francisco, 35.
Chang said Vertudazo and Tipolo were nabbed in possession of P6,800 worth of shabu, a motorcycle and P500 marked money when arrested in an anti-drug operation around 7:48 p.m. Monday in Osukan village, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte.
Peralta, a construction checker, and Gabas, a "habal-habal" driver, yielded some P27,200 worth of shabu and six P1,000 bills as boodle money topped with one genuine P500 bill as marked money when arrested around 10:55 p.m. Monday in Fama village, Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Recovered from Francisco, a beautician, were P20,000 worth of shabu and P200 marked money when arrested around 9:10 p.m. Monday in Sitio Pitogo in Sinunuc village, Zamboanga City.
Chang said formal charges will be filed against the suspects. (SunStar Zamboanga)