3 'drug dealers' nabbed, P320-K shabu seized in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Law enforcement authorities have arrested three suspected drug dealers and seized PHP320,000 worth of illegal drugs in separate law enforcement operations in this city and Zamboanga del Norte, an official said Monday.

Maj. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Argen Quilap-Quilap, 29; Antonio Ignacio, 42; and, Jomas Casalta, 33.

Galvez said that Quilap-Quilap and Ignacio were arrested in a buy-bust operation around 8:20 p.m. Sunday in Unity Drive, Barangay Tetuan here.

Quilap-Quilap and Ignacio yielded some PHP120,000 worth of suspected shabu packed in 10 heat-sealed plastic sachets and PHP500 marked money consisting of five PHP100 bills, police said.

Galvez said Casalta was arrested by a joint team of police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives in a buy-bust operation around 8:30 p.m. Sunday in Barangay East Poblacion, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte.

Police said Casalta yielded some PHP200,000 worth of suspected shabu, PHP500 marked money, PHP460 cash of different denominations, and illegal drug paraphernalia.

Galvez said the suspects were detained to face charges in violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)