3 drug dealers arrested, PHP6.8M shabu seized in Maguindanao

Three major drug dealers were arrested and PHP6.8 million worth of shabu was seized during a police entrapment operation in Maguindanao del Norte province on Friday.

Lt. Colonel Esmael Madin, the municipal police chief of Sultan Kudarat, identified the suspects as Esmael Bendong, Mantawil Saddam, and Usop Ampatuan, who were under surveillance for two weeks before agreeing to sell drugs to an undercover agent in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat.

During the transaction, which was initially set to take place in Sultan Kudarat but moved to Datu Odin Sinsuat, police seized a kilo of shabu, a Ford Ranger vehicle used for drug dealing, and marked money from the suspects.

The three individuals are now facing charges under Republic Act 9165 for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

This operation marks the second significant drug bust in Barangay Awang within two months, following another arrest on July 24 when Morsalon Tantong was caught with P6.8 million worth of shabu.