By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. | Philippine News Agency
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A high-value drug suspect was killed and some P27.2 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in an anti-illegal drugs operation here late Friday, Feb. 25.
Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office chief, identified the slain suspect as Puruti Taraji (alias Bossing), listed as a high-value individual (HVI) and a resident of Barangay Laum Maimbung in Maimbung, Sulu.
Lorenzo said Taraji was killed as the undercover policeman returned fire at around 10:00 p.m. in Caragasan Beach, Barangay Maasin.
The wounded policeman is in the hospital, according to Lorenzo.
The suspects’ two cohorts aboard a motorboat also opened fire before fleeing.
Aside from shabu, authorities also recovered a 9-millimeter pistol, a bundle of boodle money topped with one genuine P1,000 bill as supposed payment of P4 million, and several non-drug items.
The operation was launched by a joint team of police and Marine forces following four months of surveillance. (PNA)
– bny
