PDEA agents arrest big time drug peddler in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A suspected member of big time drug syndicate operating in North
Cotabato was arrested during drug buy bust operation in Kidapawan City.

Director Gil
Castro of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 12 (PDEA-12) said
John Ryan Alvarez of Diamond Street, Kidapawan City was in PDEA drug watch list.An agent of
PDEA-12 posed as buyer and managed to secure methamphetamine hydrochloride from
Alvarez who, his neighbors said, are into illegal drug pushing along Diamond
Street, Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City.

Castro said Alvarez,
29, a businessman, was a member of Simbulan drug syndicate operating in North
Cotabato, part of Davao del Sur and part of Maguindanao.

He (Alvarez)
is in our wanted list, he belonged to a big time drug syndicate, Castro, who
led the operation, told DXND-AM Radyo Bida in Kidapawan City.

Castro said they recovered from the suspects at least 5 grams of shabu, an illegal drug, which have an estimated street value of P22,500.Castro said they placed Alvarez under tight monitoring and surveillance since July, getting tips from the suspect’s neighbors.Alvarez is the fourth member of the notorious SDG whose operations include North Cotabato and nearby provinces in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.Castro told
reporters that the group was also involved in carnapping and gun-running and
other crimes.

In Kidapawan City, they apprehended another member of the syndicate identified as John Ryan Cua Alvarez, 29, of Barangay Sudapin, this city, in a buy-bust, around 2 p.m., also on August 23.Castro said they placed Alvarez under tight monitoring and surveillance since July, getting tips from the suspect’s neighbors.Alvarez is the fourth member of the notorious SDG whose operations include North Cotabato and nearby provinces in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.According to
narcotics agents, Alvarez sourced illegal drugs from an unknown group in
Matalam and distributes the stuff to Kidapawan City and environs.

Image may contain one or more people people sitting plant outdoor and nature sand//scontent.fmnl6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20992655_1546719505448872_971598514502763922_n.jpg?_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeH1vdjwDxYNgnkXiQ6261wTtSx0Q0aUQnNJ1OBGgx1dye6RrGrbIl7u1Uu3U2BNfmR0ORp4Jm-4weipVMScXFGwTtsoNGQ2NNoawdpR98NH_899EmkKm9BQ2P2mV9Bna40andampoh=dbead5d4b99417ca0c11cc09efb858bdandampoe=5A306064 In nearby Kabacan,
North Cotabato, police arrested during anti-drug raid in Barangay Poblacion three
drug peddlers who have warrants of arrest.

The police,
armed with search warrants issued by Hon. Judge Alandrex Betoya, presiding judge
of Regional Trial Court Branch 16, arrested Jojo Alon, 42, Allan Alon, 41 and
Sukarno Beldik, 40, all residents of Barangay Poblacion.

Two other
suspects included in the warrant managed to elude arresting members of the
Kabacan police office during the 4 p.m. anti-drug operation. They were Elmer Ones,
43 and Joeboy Manuel, all of Barangay Poblacion.

Police operatives
recovered 5 grams of shabu, paraphernalia and a motorbike and a tricycle used
by the suspects in drug peddling.

Charges for
violation of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against the suspects.