PDEA nabs alleged Zambales drug pusher

MANILA, Philippines – Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested one of Region 3’s most notorious drug pusher in Iba, Zambales late yesterday afternoon. About a kilo of shabu was seized from the suspect identified as Ali Omar, the president of a Muslim association in the province.

PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago said the operation by the Special Enforcement Service (SES) headed by Major Ferdinand Marcelino was carried out by virtue of a search warrant. According to him, anti-narcotics agents searched the suspect’s house located in a high-risk area and found illegal drugs in his possession.

Santiago, quoting reports from the field, said two firearms were recovered from Omar who is also listed in the Philippine National Police’s Order of Battle. Marcelino, in a text message sent to The STAR, said follow-up operations are being conducted by his team against other possible suspects.

The SES chief and his men were the same PDEA operatives who arrested the so-called “Alabang Boys” in September last year. “They are still operating against other possible suspects,” Santiago said, noting that other details of Omar’s arrest will be revealed to the media as soon as the information is available. – With Ric Sapnu