'Top drug pusher' nabbed in Isabela City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - A son of a former councilor and listed by police as  a top drug pusher was arrested during a buy-bust operation Thursday night in Isabela City, capital of Basilan province.

The arrested suspect was identified as Jose Ma. Basilio Dayrit III, a resident of Barangay La Piedad and is  allegedly a known shabu peddler in the area.

Police investigation disclosed that Dayrit was arrested after dealing with a cop who acted as poseur-buyer in the same village.

During the buy-bust, the elements of the City Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force recovered from Dayrit’s possesion eight heat-sealed plastic sachets believed to be shabu, drug paraphernalia and a magazine for caliber 22.

The Isabela City government earlier expressed alarm over the rampant peddling of illegal substance in the area, prompting the creation of the task force to run after the pushers operating in the city. - Roel Pareño