CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Police arrested four drug pushers and seized suspected shabu worth P70,000 in buy-bust operations in the Caraga region on Friday, August 11.
These high-value individuals were apprehended in Surigao del Norte, Butuan City, and Agusan del Norte and operating units are conducting follow-up operations to arrest their cohorts, Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.
Suspects face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Ometer said.
Meanwhile, police nabbed 17 persons for illegal fishing and illegal logging in the Caraga region.
Fifteen persons were arrested in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) for illegal fishing.
Seized from them were assorted fish worth P9,000 and illegal fishing paraphernalia valued at P157,300.
“They were charged with violation of local ordinances on illegal fishing,” Ometer said.
Two persons were arrested for illegal logging in the towns of Cantilan and Cortes in Surigao del Sur.
Suspects yielded undocumented lauan lumber worth P16,296.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said charges for violation of Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines have been filed against the suspects.
“Our forests, rivers, marine ecosystems, and natural resources have long been the lifeblood of our community in the region,” he said. These precious resources must be protected against those who seek to profit illegally at the expense of our environment.”