Female Drug Courier Nabbed, PHP150,000 Worth of Shabu Seized in N. Cotabato

Pikit, North Cotabato (PNA) — Policemen manning a checkpoint nabbed a female drug courier Saturday who attempted to escape while onboard a passenger van along the highway in Barangay Batulawan here.

P/Insp. Sindatu Karim, Pikit police deputy chief, identified the suspect as Baiba Sempo, 26, of Poblacion 2, Cotabato City.

Seized from the suspect were 21 grams of shabu, a banned substance, with an estimated street value of PHP150,000.

Sempo was aboard the passenger van from Cotabato City going to Davao City when halted by authorities for inspection at a checkpoint in Batulawan.

The suspect, however, immediately jumped and ran off even before cops could conduct their visual search on the passengers.

After a short chase, police caught up on the suspect where she yielded three shabu sachets wrapped in a handkerchief.

Karim believes the suspect is a member of an organized drug ring operating in Cotabato City and the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Sempo is currently detained at the Pikit police detention cell as appropriate anti-narcotic charges are readied against her. (PNA) BNB/NYP/JOHN ANDREW G. TABUGOC