An elusive drug personality suspected of operating region-wide has been killed by joint personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Sto. Tomas municipal police on Saturday after he fired his handgun in a bid to elude arrest.
Eight others were arrested in the police operation.
PDEA regional director Adzhar Albani identified the suspect as one Arnold Florida, who was tagged as the brains behind a drug den in the municipality.
The police teams were in process of serving a search warrant in the drug den when Florida fired his gun in a bid to escape. The police teams fired back making sure he would not ply his trade again.
Recovered from Florida’s possession was a .38 caliber revolver.
According to Director Albani, Florida was along the most elusive drug personality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.
Albani said that Florida might be distributing drugs in the entire Davao region as well.
“There is the possibility that Florida’s group is distributing drugs in Davao City and the entire Davao region as well, since this is just near his place,” he said.
Albani said that Florida already received a warning from Sto. Tomas Mayor Benigno Andamon weeks before the issuance of search warrant, however he still continues with his illegal drug activity.
“Mayor Andamon already warned them, he even scolded them giving them the chance to change, but they did not obey,” he said.
Authorities recovered worth P1.9 million of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride commonly known as shabu in the possession of Florida.
Arrested during the operation were: Raul Mohammad Asiaw, Shanon Jay Valparaiso, Abel Muñez, Jose Delos Reyes, Adonis Florida, Chris Florida, Omar Timbreza and King Florida.
The PDEA accused them of maintaining the drug den and filed cases against them for violation of Republic Act 9165 commonly known as the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
Albani said that they are still monitoring several drug dens in the entire region.
