Village official arrested, P20.4 million shabu seized

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Anti-narcotics agents and joint police security forces arrested a village official tagged as a high-value target in the illegal drug trade and seized three kilos of shabu worth P20.4 million during a sting in Jolo, Sulu on Thursday.

Gil Cesario Castro, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bangsamoro regional director, identified the suspect as Kaber Jailani Yusop, 46, an elected official of Barangay Lakit in Panamao town.

Castro said Yusop has been the subject of surveillance by agents of PDEA-Sulu, Police Regional Office 9 intelligence unit and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-BARMM. His companion, identified as Weng Najar, eluded arrest.

Castro said charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 would be filed against Yusop.