Photo Credit to Djtara
Malangas Farmer Arrested; ₱217,600 Worth of Suspected Shabu, Firearm Seized in Search Warrant Operation
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay -A 25-year-old farmer was arrested after authorities confiscated more than 32 grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱217,600 and an unlicensed firearm during the implementation of search warrants in Barangay Mabini, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Sunday afternoon, July 19.
The suspect was identified by police as Armand Ladias Saripa, also known as "Arman Kaman Saripa," a married resident of Purok 7, Barangay Mabini, Malangas.
The operation, which ran from 2:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., was spearheaded by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office under the leadership of PLTCOL John Conrad A. Villanueva.
The PDEU was assisted by personnel from the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU-ZSBPPO), 903rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Malangas Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Authorities were implementing Search Warrant No. IM-26-044 for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Search Warrant No. IM-26-045 for violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Both warrants were issued by Judge Octavius G. Soriano of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 31, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.
During the search, law enforcement operatives recovered three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, with an estimated total weight of 32 grams and an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱217,600.
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Also confiscated were a Colt caliber .45 pistol, one magazine loaded with five live rounds of ammunition, a digital weighing scale, scissors, a roll of aluminum foil, a disposable lighter, a backpack believed to have been used as a container for the illegal items, and an eyeglass pouch.
Police said the seized drug paraphernalia indicated the suspected illegal drug activity being investigated by authorities.
The implementation of the search warrants was witnessed by Barangay Kagawad Abdulrahman S. Oyag of Barangay Mabini and Phoebe Vargas Gio, station manager of a local radio station, in accordance with legal procedures.
Following his arrest, Saripa was taken to the Malangas Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Meanwhile, the confiscated suspected illegal drugs will be submitted to the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Forensic Unit for qualitative and quantitative laboratory examination, while the firearm and ammunition will serve as evidence in the appropriate criminal charges to be filed against the suspect.
