Joint gov’t operatives nabs 7 suspects of illegal drug trade in Kumalarang

Joint gov’t operatives nabs 7 suspects of illegal drug trade in Kumalarang

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (April 5, 2015) ---The joint government operatives arrested 7 suspects of illegal drug trade and confiscation of more than 50 grams of shabu in Sunday dawn raid at Barangay Boyugan West in the nearby town of Kumalarang this province.

The raid was lead by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) together with the members of Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office, Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Team and the Provincial Investigation Detective Management Branch (PIDMB) who successfully arrested 2 of the 7 personalities listed in the warrant of arrest (WOA) and another 5 others were handcuffed during the raid.

PDEA Region-9 Director Josep C. Ladip said the raid conducted at the 7 houses Sunday at 2:30 dawn as the result of 2 months surveillance operations.

Ladip identified the 2 of the 7 personalities involved in illegal drugs trade as Jabide Ladjas y Abdulah aka ‘Beds’, 51, Barangay Kagawad of Boyugan West and Ayang Edris y Lamangan 41, a resident also in the same barangay. 

Ladip said the 5 others listed in the WOA were not around during the raid while the 5 other arrested were drug users identified as Abdul Modakil y Tampipi, 32, of Boyugan West; Melvin Solliano y Ornopia, 23 of Barangay Picanan; Claudio Buctuan y Donor, 38 of Barangay Sayao; Yosup Dacula y Calcedo, 35 of Poblacion and Husain Edris y Tampipi, 41 also of Boyugsn West all of Kumalarang town.

The PDEA Director added that the confiscated illegal drugs had an estimated market value of Php80,000.

Kumalarang Mayor Eugenio Salva Jr.  said that he already warned  the people in the barangay but the illegal drug trade still continue. He also expressed his gratitude to the government law enforcement agency for the successful conduct of raid in one of the 18 barangays.

Mayor Salva also confirmed that Barangay Boyugan West located along the national highway near the boundary of Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay was noted being involved in illegal drug trade since he was a Vice Mayor.

Salva is hopeful that the illegal drug trade of the said barangay will be totally eradicated or stop following the raid by the PDEA and police operatives.