(CNN Philippines, June 24) — The Police Drug Enforcement Group recovered two kilograms of shabu and other drug paraphernalia at the house of ex-Marawi City Mayor Omar Ali Solitario in a clearing operation in Barangay Bangon, Marawi Friday morning.
Police Chief Inspector William Santos of the Mindanao Police Drug Enforcement Group said they stumbled upon the huge volume of shabu at the house which was previously occupied by Maute members.
Santos added there were indications that the rebels also used the prohibited drugs as they recovered various paraphernalia and that Ali was a supporter of the terror group.
“We conducted a house-to-house search along Lakeside Marawi City. Former mayor Omar Ali is a known supporter of the Maute group. High value target siya. Nakubkob ng Maute yung bahay na yun. [He is a high value target. Maute members use to occupy that house],” Santos said.
In August 2016, Solitario was among the government officials named by President Rodrigo Duterte who were allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.
He is also included in the arrest order issued by the Department of National Defense, in connection with the Marawi crisis.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Saturday said the development would “hopefully bring to bear the realities existing in the area about the close relation between the illegal drug trade and this ongoing rebellion.”
