PDEA agents arrest Marawi big time drug peddlers

MARAWI City -  Two suspects were arrested during joint anti-narcotic operation led by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) that resulted to confiscation of P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu, Thursday. 

Director Juvenal Azurin, regional chief of PDEA-BARMM, said the operation was launched in Barangay Poblacion, Marawi City, at around 3:25 this afternoon.

“The suspects engaged our agents in dealing worth P2.2 Million peso payment for their contrabands,” he said.

Suspects Alexander Dayondong Aliponto from Tamparan, Lanao Del Sur and his cohort Adam Pandiin, alyas Titing of Marawi City later realized they were dealing with government narco-agents.

They were immediately handcuffed.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandambra, together with other local officials came to the scene of operation and signify as witnesses in the successful government efforts.

Together with PDEA in the drug bust operation were the teams from Marawi Police Station, Regional Mobile Force Company, Maritime group and 103rd Army Brigade.

“We still conduct thorough investigation as of this moment, the initial, these illegal drugs came from outside from Marawi,” Azurin added.

President Rodrigo Duterte said Marawi City has once served as haven of big-time drug lords in the country that contributed to huge amount in financing the five-month siege laid by Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute terror group in 2017.