Drug ring leader killed, 3 others nabbed in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Narcotics agent and combat police forces killed a top drug ring leader in Sulu and captured three of his members pre-dawn Friday during an arrest operation in their hideout in Patikul town, Sulu, an official said.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional director Adzhar Albani identified the killed suspect as Sadjari Amiril alias Salip Amiril, leader of the Amiril Drug Group.

Those arrested were identified as Isnira Saihuddin, Amiril's wife, Ajan Akdam, 39, both residents of Godinez, Patikul town; and Dadang Sainuddin, married, 34 and a resident of Panamao town.

The PDEA agents backed by the combat police unit of the Special Action Force (SAF) 5th Battalion, and marines armed with warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 14 of the 9th Judicial Region and branch 68 of the RTC of Pasig for violation of dangerous drug act, were serving the order to arrest the drug ring leader at Barangay Godinez.

However, Amiril resisted the arrest and aimed his .45 caliber pistol at the approaching law enforcement authorities prompting the lawmen to shoot him.

Albani said the suspect was seriously wounded and brought to the hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The arresting team recovered from the possession of the killed suspect a 5.56 mm M16A1 rifle with serial no. RP052915 attached with short steel magazine and grenade launcher with serial no. 104996 with 11 live ammunitiomn and 21 long steel magazines loaded with ammunition, .45 caliber para-ordinance hi-cap, with two magazine loaded with ammunition, four M14 steel magazines and ammunition.

Recovered from Akdam's possession were one .45 caliber Ruger P89 with serial no. 312-03869 with one magazine with ammunition while seized from the possession of Sainuddin were a caliber .38 Viper revolver  with ammunition and a fragmentation grenade.

The lawmen also confiscated were eight different brands of cellphones one leather wallet, an ID holder, and two magazine bandoliers.

Albani said cases for violation of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and illegal possession of explosives were also prepared against the suspects who were temporarily detained at Jolo Municipal Police Station.