OFW couple, another arrested in P60-M drug haul

THREE people, including Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) couple, were arrested while P60 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” were seized in antiillegal drugs operations in this Zamboanga City, the police said Saturday.

Superintendent Nonito Asdai, Police Station 6 chief, identified the suspects separately arrested as Almujir Sabtal, 29, of Sulu; and, the couple OFWs as Carmin Maluddin, 36, and Sakur Alijam, 26 of Vallerosa subdivision, Sinunuc, this city.

Asdai said Sabtal was arrested in a drug bust shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at a downtown hotel.

The police chief said the OFW couple, Maluddin and Alijam, were arrested in a follow-up operation at Vallerosa subdivision, Sinunuc, when Sabtal revealed his source of the illegal drugs.

He said they seized from the residence of the couple were more or less three kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P60 million.

Maluddin denied they owned the illegal drugs. She claimed they just accommodated Sabtal since he has nowhere to stay.

She said they were unaware that Sabtal is staying at a hotel and involved in illegal drug trade.

Maluddin works as an administrative assistant in the Middle East and is scheduled to return to her work station on July 8.

Her husband, Alijam, worked as driver for eight years in the Middle East and is now in transport business in the city.

Sabtal claimed that he earns P10,000 as commission for every kilo sale of shabu.

Asdai said Sabtal earns as much as P30,000 weekly as the latter revealed he could sell three kilos of shabu in one week.