Two arrested in North Cotabato buy-bust, shabu worth P680,000 seized

May 14, 2020

Government troops apprehended two drug personalities in a buy-bust operation in North Cotabato on Wednesday morning.

Major Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman,  said arrested were  Ali Adapan Usman Selangan and Pilong Selangan.

Encinas said the joint elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion, PDEA Regional Office 12 Cotabato Provincial Office, PDEA Regional Office BARMM, and Alamada Municipal Police Station were conducting buy-bust operation in Sitio Maracabac, Barangay Guiling, Alamada, North Cotabato when they nabbed the suspects around 5 am.

"Seized from said personalities were two pieces large transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated weight of 100 grams and valued at P680,000," he said.

Encinas said also seized during the operation were "one P1,000 bill marked money on top of 94 pieces boodle money; four caliber 5.56 M16 rifles; three Garand rifles one 7.62 M14 rifle; one M14 magazine; four M16 short magazine; three Garand clips; 24 rounds cal. 30 ammunition; three rounds 7.62 ammunition; twenty rounds 5.56 ammunition; one improvised M79 grenade launcher with one ammunition; four Baofeng handheld radio; and one Qnet cellular phone."

Following the operation the arrested personalities and recovered items are placed under the custody of  the regional PDEA office.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, said the military will continue to assist its partners in curbing illegal drug operations in Central Mindanao.

On his part, Wesmincom chief  Lt. Gen.Cirilito Sobejana said the operation "is another accomplishment attributable to the combined efforts of our troops and other law enforcement agencies." Robina Asido/DMS