The mayor named Barangay Nuangan and Alim Street where drug pushing is reportedly very rampant.
Gantuangco made his pronouncement during the presentation of two suspected drug couriers arrested by elements of the North Cotabato Task Force in a checkpoint in Barangay Lanao on Sunday afternoon.
The suspects were identified as Emran Samama, of Alim St., Kidapawan City, and cousin Naot Samama Ibrahim, 25, of Barangay Tungol, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao.
Seventeen sachets of suspected shabu with estimated street value of P5,000 were confiscated from the suspects.
Gantuangco has ordered Chief Insp. Leo Ajero, Kidapawan City police chief, to monitor the mentioned areas and arrest those involved in illegal drug activity.
“I received intelligence reports that there were suspicious looking individuals in these areas allegedly selling illegal drugs,” Gantuangco said.
He instructed Ajero to coordinate with barangay officials and civilian assets for possible arrest of suspected drug pushers in Kidapawan City.
The mayor said that these persons involved in drug selling come from the neighboring towns and provinces of North Cotabato. “But we believe that there are also some individuals from here who are involved in this illegal activity,” he added.
Ajero said he is now coordinating with their assets and other contacts in these areas to identify those behind the illegal drug trade.
The police has warned residents living along Alim Street and Barangay Nuangan that they will be arrested once proven that they are cuddling drug pushers.
Ajero said that since they began strengthening the campaign against illegal drugs in 40 villages of the city, some 20 drug users and pushers have been put behind bars.
He said they already have names of suspected drug users and pushers but noted that his office is conducting further investigations to confirm involvement of these persons in the illegal drug trade.
“Sooner of later we could arrest these persons once we establish solid evidence against them,” Ajero vowed. (Williamor A. Magbanua / MindaNews)
