Pusher, trader fall in Sarangani drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency nabbed a suspected notorious pusher and a businessman during a sting operation in Sarangani province.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said narcotics agents arrested Alban Escanilla, 37, a merchandiser, of Purok Masagana, Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani Province; and Mesmer Belinario, 31, a businessman from Purok 5, Cogonal, Alabel,  last Feb. 19.

Cacdac said that Escanilla is ranked Number 5 in the PDEA Central Mindanao target-list and his arrest is expected to affect the supply of shabu in the whole province of Sarangani and neighboring municipalities.

The suspects fell into the hands of PDEA Regional Office 12 (PDEA RO-12) Sarangani Special Enforcement Group after they sold the illegal drug weighing approximately three grams to a poseur-buyer along Balimbing Street, Purok Mabuhay, Poblacion, Alabel.

When frisked, the duo yielded four pieces of improvised lighters, one aluminum strip, a mobile phone and the P500 marked bill used as buy-bust money during the operation.

The two men are now facing violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.