Sulu cops seize P13.6M worth of alleged shabu; kagawad among suspects nabbed

About P13.6 million worth of suspected shabu were seized while three suspects were arrested, including a barangay kagawad, during a joint drug buy-bust operation in Indanan, Sulu on Saturday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Indanan Municipal Police Station identified the nabbed individuals who are all Sulu residents as Ilahan Sabdain Yahya, 48, barangay kagawad of Barangay Gata-Gata, Panglima Estino, Sulu; Muride Jarih Ahajan, 31; and Elwina Hamidan Unaid, 24, a student.

Seized from the suspects were two kilos of alleged shabu with a standard drug price of P13,600,000; a P1,000-bill used as buy-bust money; and some boodle money.

The suspects are now under the custodial facility of Indanan Municipal Police Station while the recovered pieces of evidence were taken by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for laboratory examination and proper disposition.

Complaints for Violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be referred to the Prosecutor's Office against the arrested suspects.

“I congratulate the operating units for this successful operation. Ang magandang kooperasyon at koordinasyon natin ang isa sa naging daan upang masabat ang nasabing dami at halaga ng hinihinalang shabu,” said Police Brigadier General Eden Ugale, director of Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

(Our good cooperation and coordination became avenues to seize the said quantity and amount of the alleged shabu.)

“Panatilihin natin ang ugnayan at pagsasanib pwersa sa ating kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, kriminalidad, at terorismo tungo sa mapayapa at ligtas na Bangsamoro Region,” he added.

(Let’s continue our coordination and join forces in our campaign against illegal drugs, crime, and terrorism towards a peaceful and safe Bangsamoro Region.)

The PNP said they are determined to end the illegal drug trade in the Bangsamoro Region. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News