NorMin enforcers nab 9 suspects, seize P3.7-M illegal drugs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Law enforcement teams in Northern Mindanao rounded up illegal drug suspects and seized substances worth P3.7 million in separate operations in Misamis Oriental and this city.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority Region 10 (PDEA-10) and the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 conducted the latest operation Friday in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects.

In an interview, PDEA-10 Director Benjamin Gaspi said the Tagoloan operation yielded illegal drugs from various houses in Barangay Sta. Ana following the enforcement of separate search warrants, one of which targeted a police staff sergeant who was not present when authorities arrived.

"We were still able to serve the search warrant since there were people inside his (suspect) residence," Gaspi said, adding that the operation yielded 100 grams of shabu amounting to P680,000.

Meanwhile, the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit-10 also seized P3.1 million worth of shabu and marijuana on Thursday and arrested two suspects.

The suspects aged 34 and 29 years are residents of Lanao del Sur and Cavite, respectively, but were arrested in an entrapment here.

PRO-10 Director Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr. assured the public of a continued campaign against illegal drugs in the communities.

"I call on the community to support our endeavors by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities to the authorities," he said. (PNA)