Cops seize explosive materials, arrest 2 people in Zamboanga City buy-bust

photo: CIDG
Police confiscated explosive materials following the arrest of two people in a buy-bust operation in Zamboanga City.
Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operation was part of the efforts to run after criminal elements and other materials that could be used to threaten the result of the May 12 elections.
He identified the arrested suspects as certain “Arjemhar” and “Gamar” who were arrested after a poseur buyer from the CIDG was able to negotiate for the purchase of explosive materials in Barangay Rio Hondo on Feb. 6.
“They were arrested for illegal possession, trade, acquisition, or disposal of explosives and explosives materials and related devices that can be used for making an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), that may be used for terroristic attacks,” said Torre.
Seized during the operation were a total of 2,000 pieces of blasting caps, 2,000 pieces of improvised non-electric blasting caps, three rolls of safety fuse commercial, five pieces of plastic bags containing alleged TNT (trinitrotoluene) and two pieces of spool light pink detonating cord.
Also confiscated were the boodle money used in the transaction and a sports utility vehicle.
The arrested suspects face charges of violation of Section 32 of Republic Act 7166 in relation to Rule IV, Section 8 of Comelec Resolution No. 11067, for unlawfully bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons during the election period.