Butuan mayor’s kin, 4 others nabbed for illegal drugs

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The first cousin of Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., who is also the chairman of the Caraga region peace and order council, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Earl Casinillo Amante, 40, and four others, whose names were withheld in the meantime, were arrested at their rented house in Purok 3, Rosales street, Barangay San Ignacio on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by four regional trial courts and three metropolitan trial courts here. 

Several sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia, two handguns, a motorcycle and over P200,000 cash were seized from the suspects.