As the Philippine government intensifies its war on drugs campaign, a USD 100 thousand worth of illegal drugs (crystal meth) were confiscated at the residence of a town mayor in Southern Philippines.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has identified Mayor Aniceto Lopez, mayor of Maasim town in Sarangani province as the owner of the house.
PDEA is a government agency whose mandate is to run after drug users and syndicates involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.
PDEA Regional Director Gil Castro told journalists that the PDEA raiding team found one kilo of illegal drugs in the vicinity. Incidentally, the mayor was not at his residence during the raid.
Aside from the drugs confiscated, the team also found drug paraphernalia, ecstasy tablets, laboratory equipment, firearms, ammunitions and explosives. While doing the search operations, the raiding team also found a paper with familiar names written on it and those names are personalities allegedly involved in illegal drug trading.
There have been earlier reports that the suspected mayor has existing links with the local terrorist group known as Ansar Al-Khalifa (AKP) previously led by terrorist leader Mohammad Jaafar Maguid also known as "Tokboy," and who was responsible for initiating bomb attacks in the Southern Philippines.
After the surprise raid, police authorities have received feelers that Castro is signifying his intention to surrender in due time.
The raid of a high profile drug suspect's residence was criticised highly. People declared that the Duterte administration was victimizing ordinary citizens but the Duterte camp denied these allegations, however, hinted that they will run after high profile government officials.
Over 6,000 people were killed since the Philippine government launched the war on drugs campaign last year but the government claimed they are cautious and are following the rules properly when pursuing illegal drug suspects.
