PDEA: Provincial gov't employee nabbed in Davao del Sur shabu bust
By Chito Chavez
PDEA
A government employee was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Digos City, Davao del Sur on Thursday night, Feb. 5, after allegedly selling crystal meth or “shabu” to an undercover agent.
The PDEA identified the suspect as a 59-year-old provincial government personnel with the alias “Kol.” He was nabbed in a buy-bust operation around 8:15 p.m. in Purok Bayanihan, Barangay Zone 2.
Authorities said the arrest was made after the PDEA poseur-buyer gave the prearranged signal to the backup team, indicating that the suspect had sold illegal drugs and the transaction had been consummated.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody by anti-narcotics operatives.
Seized from the suspect was shabu worth P8,000, which he allegedly intended to sell to the undercover PDEA agent.
A follow-up search yielded five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing about nine grams of suspected shabu valued at P72,000.
The marked buy-bust money was also recovered during the operation.
The confiscated items were turned over for proper documentation and laboratory examination.
PDEA Regional Office 11 Director Benjamin Gaspi said the arrest of a government employee is a testament to the agency’s commitment “to maintaining a safe and drug-free community.”
The operation was conducted by the PDEA Regional Office 11 in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office.
The suspect will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”