SIX drug suspects, including a high-value target (HVT), were arrested while a drug den was dismantled and P122,400 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga Sibugay, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported.

PDEA Regional Director Emerson Margate identified the arrested HVT suspect as Rey Dela Torre, who has been listed as the number 10 Provincial Priority Target of the agency.

Margate said the other arrested suspects were identified as Ibrahim Marcial, who carries the aliases of Tutuh Marani and Toto Amoh, 32, drug den maintainer; Diana Ascalon, 39, drug den maintainer; Monib Ampoto, 29, drug den employee; Junie Asani, 38, drug den employee; and Rey Maribong, 47, drug den visitor.

Margate said Dela Torre was arrested in an anti-drug operation last week in Purok 2 in Lower Tungawan village, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Seized Dela Torre were P20,400 worth of shabu, P12,470 case in different denominations, a motorcycle, and buy-bust money.

The other five suspects were arrested as a drug den was dismantled around 4 p.m. Saturday, February 19, in Purok Gemelina in Tenan village, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Margate said seized during the raid at the drug den were 15 grams of shabu worth P102,000, buy-bust money, and several illegal drug paraphernalia.

The suspects will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, he said.

Margate extended his gratitude to the policemen and soldiers who assisted them in the anti-drug operations that led to the arrest of the suspects. (SunStar Zamboanga)