Anti-narcotics agents seized suspected shabu worth nearly P7 million and arrested during a sting operation in Iligan City two individuals who allegedly acted as ‘brokers’ of a big-time drug dealer in the Philippines.
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10) arrested alias “Abdul” and alias “Anie,” both 24 years old and residents of Marawi City.
Authorities seized more than one kilo of suspected shabu worth more than P6.8 million.
According to PDEA, it monitored the suspects’ movements and activities for more than a month before the buy-bust operation was carried out.
PDEA-10 Director, Atty. Benjamin Gaspi, said a certain “big boss” may have ordered the suspects to deliver the items to Marawi City from Cagayan de Oro. However, plans reportedly changed during a negotiation and the transactions were moved to Iligan City.
“So hanggang itong dalawa tao na si Abdul at Anie ay sila ang pinakahuling katransaksyon na inutusan ng big boss na allegedly na magdeliver ng droga. Actually, ang operation sana nito ay from here (Cagayan de oro) tapos dinala sa Marawi City at doon ang transaksyon nagbago na naman nuong habang nagkakaroon ng negotiation at transaction at dinala sila sa Iligan,” PDEA-10 Director, Atty. Benjamin Gaspi, said.
PDEA-10 added that the items may have come from outside the country, especially that the “big boss” referred to by the arrested suspects is a Chinese national. Authorities did not identify the Chinese national.
The items were allegedly transported from the National Capital Region to Northern Mindanao.
“Kasi nga sobra ang higpit sa airport tinatransport na lang all the way from National Capital Region kasi ito nahuli ay may mga Chinese character. So allegedly ito yung kasama na droga sa mga nasi-seized sa National Capital Region na sa voluminous na methamphetamine hydrochloride,” Gaspi added.
Following the operation, PDEA-10 will intensify its border surprise inspections to monitor possible shipment of illegal drugs.
The arrested suspects did not give a statement. They will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act.