ZAMBOANGA CITY— Government operatives arrested two high-value target drug personalities and seized PHP3.5 million worth of illegal drugs in separate buy-bust operations here and in nearby Basilan province.
Laurefel Gabales, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional director, identified the two suspects as Jessi Hassim alias Jan-Jan Usman, and Jomer Atang, an alleged drug syndicate leader in Isabela City, Basilan.
PDEA agents arrested Hassim in a buy-bust operation around 6:50 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay San Jose Gusu, this city. Police Station 11 personnel backed the operation.
Gabales said the arresting team seized from Hassim some 500 grams of suspected shabu packed in one transparent plastic sachet with an estimated street value of PHP3.4 million.
Also confiscated was the bundle of boodle money worth PHP640,000 used as buy-bust money and a motorcycle.
Gabales said Atang was arrested by joint PDEA and police team in a buy-bust operation around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in Marketsite, Isabela City, capital of Basilan province.
Authorities confiscated from Atang 15 grams of suspected shabu packed in 10 transparent plastic sachets with an estimated value of PHP102,000.
The two buy-bust operations were carried out following days of surveillance on the illicit activities of the two suspects, Gabales said.
Cases for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangareous Drugs Act of 2002 are being readied against the two suspects. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
