Barangay officials nabbed in drug sting

CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – A barangay chairman and a councilman were arrested and of suspected shabu was seized during the intensified “Project Double Barrel Reloaded” drive by the Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 in Caraga Region. Barangay chairman Romeo E. Lagat, 44 and councilman Danilo R. Tumali, 47, were arrested when joint elements of Prosperidad Municipal Police Station (MPS), Agusan del Sur PPO, and PDEA 13 implemented the search warrant issued by Judge Emmanuel E. Escatron of the Butuan Regional Trial Court 10, Branch 4. Lagat was arrested inside his home 6:45 a.m. Sunday. Police seized suspected shabu worth P82,600, drug paraphernalias, and assorted ammunition from him. Police also implemented a search warrant issued by the same court at the house of Tumali and found suspected shabu worth P118,000, a .45 caliber pistol, and .38 revolver with live ammunitions. The arrested suspects were reportedly listed as high value targets of Prosperidad Municipal Police Station. (Mike U. Crismundo)