KIDAPAWAN CITY – Three alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Pigcawayan, Cotabato, around 11 a.m., on Wednesday, reports from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
The PDEA Cotabato provincial office identified the suspected drug couriers as Gani Mehar Kanday alias ‘Idol’, 29, a farmer; Thens Ebrahim, 32, construction worker; and Adhan Mawiya Adam, 34, driver, all members of the MILF and residents of Barangay Datu Piang, Pigcawayan, Cotabato.
Reports said anti-drug operatives conducted a buy-bust operation at the suspects’ hideout in Barangay Datu Piang and confiscated from them 50 grams of shabu estimated at P354,000.
The three were considered high-value targets, PDEA Cotabato said.
Also confiscated from the suspects were a white van that they used in their illegal transactions and a caliber 45 pistol with a magazine inserted.
Charges of violation of Section 5 in relation to Section 26 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition were filed on Friday against the suspects. They have been placed temporarily under the custody of PDEA Cotabato.