7 drug ring members fall in Maguindanao

Authorities arrested seven members of a notorious local drug group during separate raids in Maguindanao, seizing a total of 213 sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, weighing more or less 80 grams, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Friday.

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac, Jr. identified the suspects as Anwar Nakan, 33, and his wife, Sanima, 29; Abdulbasit Dipatuan, 34; Neng Dipatuan, 37; Heria Baraguir, 19; Thong Ambolodto, 40; and Saguira Guiamalon, 37.

“Reports revealed that the seven arrested suspects are members of Abas Drug Group involved in illegal drug activities in Maguindanao and other neighboring municipalities. Two of them were subjects of our case operation plan ‘Save the Babies’,” Cacdac said.

“The arrest of seven members of the Abas Drug Group is a big blow to the local drug industry in Barangay Makir, Maguindanao. We will not stop until the other three suspects, Samanodi in particular, are caught,” he added.

Last Feb. 12, combined elements of PDEA Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA ARMM) and the Philippine Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion, served five search warrants in houses located in Barangay Makir, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Aside from shabu, authorities confiscated assorted drug paraphernalia, several firearms and pieces of live ammunition and mobile phones.

However, Samanodi Abas, leader of the Abas Drug Group and two members, Benjamin Abas and Paner Duga, were able to elude arrest after they noticed the presence of PDEA operatives in the area.

The seven suspects are now facing charges for violation of Article II, Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Maguindanao.

They are now temporarily detained at the PDEA ARMM jail facility, PC Hill, Cotabato City.