Bongao drug bust yields P1.2-M shabu

Aspacio said Ibang was arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 11:40 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Nalil, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. (ShutterStock image)

ZAMBOANGA CITY— The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), backed by policemen, arrested a suspected big time drug pusher and seized more than PhP1 million worth of illegal drugs in Tawi-Tawi, a top PDEA official announced on Thursday.

The arrest was made two days after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a memorandum ordering the Philippines National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to rejoin the government’s war against illegal drugs.

PDEA Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio identified the suspects as Alside Ibang alias Al, 22, alleged big time drug pusher.

Aspacio said Ibang was arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 11:40 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Nalil, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

He said confiscated from Ibang’s possession were more or less 250 grams of suspected shabu packed in five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth PhP1,250,000 and PhP2,000 marked money including 68 cut papers that served as boodle money.

He said that charges for violation of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed in court against the suspect.

Aspacio welcomed the order of President Duterte to the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to assist them in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.