AGENTS of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have arrested five suspected big-time drug pushers and recovered shabu with an estimated market value of P1 million in a buy-bust operation in Zamboanga City.

PDEA Regional Director Adzhar Albani said the buy-bust operations was carried out last Thursday evening in a hotel along Campaner Street in downtown Zamboanga City after the suspects agreed to a deal they arranged with a PDEA undercover agent.

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Albani identified the arrested suspects as Amla Issah, Didang Ismulhassan and Ajam Barahama, all from Cotabato City, and Siddi Jikiri of Talipao, Sulu and Zulkipar Musa of Isabela City, Basilan.

Albani said a back-up team of PDEA agents swooped down the hotel and collared the suspects after they handed over some 100 grams of shabu to the undercover PDEA agent.

He said the arrested suspects are operating in Cotabato City and are trying to establish operation in the region.

He said the suspects only come to Zamboanga City whenever there are interested buyers to close a deal with them.

Appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects, Albani said. (Bong Garcia)