PDEA-ARMM agents nab big time drug peddler, seize P1-M worth of shabu

COTABATO CITY – Joint operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) and police operatives arrested Thursday in Marawi City a big time drug peddler and seized P1 million worth of shabu.PDEA-ARMM Regional Director Juvenal Azurin said Arab Malawani Macaombang was arrested during drug buy bust operation at 1:30 p.m. inside the state-run Mindanao State University (MSU) campus.Seized from him were two jumbo pack of shabu, P1,000 marked money and P1,000 peso bill on top of boodle money. We were eyeing a big time drug group operating in Marawi and Saguiaran town when we stumbled upon Macaombang, Azurin said in a phone interview.He said Macaombang was nabbed after he handed over several sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride to a PDEA agent who acted as buyer.Macaombang, 43, a resident of Cabingan, Marawi City, did not resist arrest but visibly surprised he was dealing with an anti-narcotics agent, Azurin said. We believed the supply come from outside the city, Azurin said, adding that his unit is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest Macaombang associates who belonged to his network.Charges for violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are being prepared against the suspect. (Edwin O. Fernandez)