GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Anti-drug operatives arrested a “target-listed drug personality” in an operation Wednesday afternoon in a village in Koronadal City.
Kath Abad, public information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 12, identified the suspect as Arben Barjel, 36, a resident of Antipolo Subdivision, Barangay General Paulino Santos in Koronadal City.
Armed with a search warrant for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, she said PDEA-12 agents swooped on the suspect’s residence and motorcycle shop at around 12:25 p.m.
Abad said PDEA launched the raid in coordination with village officials and the Koronadal City police station.
Recovered at the scene were two rectangular transparent plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, weighing about 0.5 gram and valued at PHP3,400, and three improvised tooters.
Abad said Barjel is a known drug pusher in the area and included on the drug watchlist of the agency and the local police.
She said they subjected the suspect to a series of surveillance operations prior to the operation.
“His motorcycle shop doubles as a drug den where drug users from the nearby areas visit there for drug sessions,” she said.
Abad said they are currently investigating the other possible cohorts and networks of the suspect, who is now detained at the PDEA-12 lockup here.
She said the suspect would be charged with violation of Section 11 (possession of illegal drugs) and Section 12 (possession of drug paraphernalia), under Article II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
