OPERATIVES of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a suspected drug dealer who yielded 4.4 kilos of shabu worth P29.92 million in Zamboanga City yesterday morning.
The suspect was identified as Ashraf Kayzar Ikbala, alias Bhar and Ak, 40, of Aurora Village, Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City.
Ikbala was nabbed in a buy-bust operation conducted at 11:05 a.m. at Palawan Zone II, Barangay Divisoria in Zamboanga City, PDEA said in a statement.
Also seized from Ikbala were the buy-bust money, a plastic bag used as a container, a sling bag, a paper bag, and a green tea bag with a “Guanyinyang” label.
He faces charges for the sale and possession of illegal drugs.
PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta paid tribute to two PDEG policemen who died in an anti-drug operation in Maguindanao last week.
The two PDEG operatives, Corporal Kirt Sipin and Patrolman Roselyn Bulias, died last Friday in a shootout with drug dealers in Sultan Kudarat town. Two other policemen were injured.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of two of the four suspects and the seizure of one kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million.
“The sacrifice of these brave men and women reflects the true spirit of service and dedication to our nation. We mourn the loss of our heroes but stand united in our mission to continue the fight against illegal drugs,” said Matta.
Matta vowed “justice will be served” to the policemen, adding the PNP “will provide unwavering support to the families of our fallen comrades.”
“This incident underscores the seriousness of our campaign against illegal drugs. We honor the sacrifice of these brave officers by reaffirming our commitment to eliminating the scourge of illegal drugs from our communities and ensuring justice for all victims of this menace,” said Matta.
