DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao – Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) arrested Wednesday afternoon an illegal drug courier and seized sone PhP2.5 million worth of prohibited drugs.
Raffy Osama, 22, of Barangay Bagua, Cotabato City did not resist arrest when PDEA agents collared him at around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao, according to PDEA-ARMM Director Juvenal Azurin.
Azurin said Osama was arrested after he handed over a sachet of suspected shabu to a PDEA agent who acted as buyer.
“Osama, though a student, is a high value target, we have been closely monitoring his movements the past two months,” Azurin said of the suspect who was driving a multi-cab vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Osama was in the driver seat when he handed over the stuff to the poseur-buyer and received the marked money.
PDEA agents on board a van waited nearby and quickly arrested Osama who was unarmed and was stunned when PDEA agents showed up.
Anti-narcotics agents recovered about 500 grams of shabu in 10 sachets, estimated to be P2.5 million, and the marked money.
Osama’s arrest came after PDEA arrested two men and a woman in nearby Pigcawayan, North Cotabato on Tuesday following a buy bust operation. Seized from Mohammad Tuankali Macalimpas, 47 a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and companions Samsodin Kato, 30; and Noraida Samaon Alamada, 20; were illegal drugs with a market value of about PhP2.5 million, a handgun and mobile phones.
The PDEA–ARMM is now preparing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against Osama who is currently detained at the PDEA-ARMM lock up cell in Cotabato City. (PNA)
