GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Joint operatives arrested a fugitive member of an alleged major drug group operating in Region 12 in an operation in Maasim town in Sarangani Province on Friday morning.
Valente Cariño. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 12 director, identified the suspect as Norodin Lawas, 31, a resident of Barangay Poblacion in Maasim.
He said Lawas, who was listed by PDEA-12 as a high value target, was cornered by operatives at around 10 a.m. at a portion of Barangay Poblacion.
The operation was backed by elements from the Maasim municipal police station’s tracker team, Sarangani police’s intelligence branch and provincial mobile force company.
“He is a notorious drug personality and a member of the Primo Drug Group,” the official said in a statement.
Cariño said Lawas was the subject of a drug raid in Maasim last year that resulted to the recovery of several sachets of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and explosives.
But the suspect eluded arrest and was charged with violation of Section 11 or possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Section 1 of RA 9516 for possession of explosives.
Regional Trial Court Judge Oscar Noel issued an arrest warrant against Lawas on Dec. 4, 2017.
The Primo Drug Group emerged last year with the arrest of several alleged drug personalities in Sarangani and this city.
Among those arrested was Barangay Tinoto, Maasim chair Rajik Kudarat who was tagged as among the leaders of the drug group.
PDEA-12 sources said the group involves local businessmen and supposedly protected by some local politicians. (PNA)
