5 big time drug couriers arrested in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY – Police tracked and arrested Saturday in Maguindanao five persons suspected of involvement in illegal drug trade in the province. In a text message, Mayor Zamsamin Ampatuan of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao said the five suspects had connections with an alleged Chinese prohibited drug supplier. Ampatuan said the Rajah Buayan police had conducted surveillance against the suspects who suspiciously entered the town on Saturday morning and then left. Flagged down in a checkpoint, the suspects who were on board a Ford Ranger vehicle were identified as Norodin Makalimpas, Abraham Balayanan, Medz Nok and Mohaimen Balayanan. Taken from them were assorted high powered firearms, several sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride and a blue book containing names of local drug contacts, drug dealers and BDO bank deposit receipts of payments made to a Chinese dealer. The group had been subjected to intelligence gathering operations after reports reached local police about their illegal activities in town,” Ampatuan said. They had just finished delivery of drugs to their contacts at the time they were apprehended,” he added. The suspects are still undergoing investigation in an undisclosed place in Maguindanao while charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 and illegal possession of firearms are being prepared against them.