Army, PNP arrest Maguindanao's big time illegal drug dealer

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): Army, PNP arrest Maguindanao's big time illegal drug dealer

Government forces on Sunday jointly arrested a suspected illegal drug dealer operating in Maguindanao during a raid conducted by Army and police in Maguindanao, the Army here said Monday.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry 'Kampilan' Division, said elements of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Ricky Bunayog, supported the conduct of a law enforcement operation against a suspected drug dealer Norodin Kasan Sangki, alias Datu Nouri Sangki, at his residence at Sitio Bilibiran, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Petinglay said the soldiers backed the agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in serving the search warrant with number 2015-016 issued by 12th Judicial Region executive judge Bansawan Z. Ibrahim of RTC Branch 13 in Cotabato City against the suspect, considered to be a high value target at the break of dawn.

"The PDEA-ARMM coordinated with our ground troops and the raid was successful," Petinglay said, adding that coordination was vital in any police or military operations against lawless elements.

Found in the residence of Sangki were four pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be a methamphetamine hydrochloride known as “shabu” which weighed around 150 grams with an estimated street value of Php 700,000.

Petinglay said the raiding team also seized one Armalite rifle with one magazine assembly, two cal. 45 pistols and one piece 40mm ammunition for M-203 rifle grenade.

Sangki was arrested with his wife and two other companions from their residence and were brought to PDEA headquarters in PC Hill, Cotabato City for proper disposition.

"The joint operation was successful because of the timely and accurate collaboration of the concerned government agencies in order to help go after criminals and lawless elements in the area of operations of 6ID," the Army spokesperson said.

Major Gen. Edmundo R. Pangilinan, the 6ID Commander, expressed his sincere support to future operations that will help solve security issues within his area of responsibility.

Sangki is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=752587