By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Acting on intelligence reports, anti-narcotics agents and police operatives arrested a high-value drug target and confiscated from him suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP3.6 million during a buy-bust operation in Taraka, Lanao del Sur on Thursday.
A report from the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) identified the arrested suspect as Faiz Moin Tampogao, a resident of Barangay Dilausan, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
PRO-BAR said the operation was conducted at about 12:45 p.m. in Barangay Masolun, Taraka, by the joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Lanao del Sur, in coordination with the police’s Tactical Intelligence Unit and the 53rd Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force, among other units.
A poseur-buyer purchased the suspected shabu items from Tampogao, prompting his immediate arrest.
“Seized from the suspect were 10 sachets containing 533.7 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of PHP3,629,160, based on Dangerous Drugs Board valuation,” the PRO-BAR said in its report.
Authorities also recovered a mobile phone, an identification card, and PHP1,000 placed on top of seven bundles of boodle money.
“The lead operating unit now has the suspect in custody for documentation,” the regional police said.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing with the provincial prosecutor’s office in Lanao del Sur. (PNA)
