2 drug peddlers busted

Two men, both natives of Mindanao, fell to authorities while peddling shabu in separate drug bust operations the other day in Valenzuela City.

Superintendent Jose Marcelo, Valenzuela police chief, said his anti-drug unit team arrested Ismael Blah alias "Mike," 28, auto mechanic, of 288 San Francisco Street, Karuhatan and Sumayan Wahab, 42, ambulant vendor, of Lagro, Quezon City.

Blah, a native of Pigkawayan, North Cotabato, was collared near his house at around 12:45 p.m. while Wahab, a native of Kampo Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, was taken into police custody at 10:30 p.m. in Malinta, both last Tuesday.

Marcelo said the arrest of the suspects came after a while Wahab yielded 9.5 grams of the illegal substance. Blah said he received his supply in Culiat while Wahab’s came from Fairview, both in Quezon City. Both suspects did not name their suppliers.

In an effort to gain the sympathy of police and the media, Wahab, in between sobs, said it was actually his wife who was peddling the illegal stuff.

"I had to take responsibility for it. Kawawa naman siya at ang aming tatlong anak," Wahab said.

Both suspects then promised, "in the name of Allah," to turn over a new leaf if they were released.

They are now detained while charges for drug trafficking are being readied against them. – Jerry Botial