Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives backed by policemen have seized some PHP3.4 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested a suspected big-time drug trader in an anti-drug operation late Sunday here.
Jury Rocamora, PDEA-Zamboanga City Office head, identified the arrested suspect as Benhar Mowa, a resident of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Rocamora said Mowa was arrested around 7:35 p.m. Sunday at a parking lot of a shopping mall in Barangay Sta. Maria.
Seized from Mowa were some 500 grams of suspected shabu packed in 10 transparent heat-sealed plastic packs worth PHP3.5 million concealed in a face mask box, two smart phones, one analog phone, and identification card.
Rocamora said Mowa is a member of a drug syndicate that operates in the region, northern Mindanao, and Cotabato areas.
He said the group gets supply of illegal drugs from Sulu.
He disclosed that Mowa’s cohorts, including a policeman, did not show up during the buy-bust operation.
The policeman, who is assigned with the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company, escaped in an anti-drug operation on July 7 at Barangay Cawit.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects and confiscation of a kilo of suspected shabu worth PHP6.8 million.
Rocamora said charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002 will be filed against the arrested suspect.
Source: Philippines News Agency