Lanao couple arrested in Davao for illegal drug possession

DAVAO CITY — Anti-narcotics operatives here have filed charges against a couple from Lanao del Sur who was arrested at an Army checkpoint here the other day.Adzhar Alabani, regional director for Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in southern Mindanao, told reporters Esmael Macasa, 40 and his wife Ashinaya, 37, have been charged for violating Republic Act 9165 or the ComprehensiveDangerous Drugs Act of 2002.The couple from Balabagan, Lanao del Sur,was arrested at amilitary checkpoint in Barangay Sirawan in Toril districton Sunday.Alabani said his office had coordinated with Task Force Davao after receiving reports that a Ford Everest coming to Davao City from Cotabato City carries illegal drugs. After the couple's vehicle was flagged down and inspected, authorities recovered about 50 grams of suspected shabu with a street value of P450,000.