Sorsogon — Authorities from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 5 (PDEA) and local police units seized an estimated P90 million worth of suspected shabu during an interdiction operation at Matnog Port Compound, Barangay Caloocan, Matnog, Sorsogon. The operation, which began at 10 p.m. on September 28 and concluded at 6 a.m. the following morning, led to the arrest of two suspects.
The suspects were identified as Kabilan Arsad Yusop, 30, a resident of Poblacion Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, and Tato Jehamin Kumpi, 21, a resident of Talitay, Maguindanao.
According to a report from PDEA, operatives from PDEA ROV, the Sorsogon Provincial Office, and the Matnog Municipal Police Station conducted the operation at Matnog Port Compound, where they intercepted approximately 18.550 kilograms of shabu. The illegal drugs were packed in 211 medium-sized, heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, each containing around 50 grams of shabu. Additionally, eight vacuum-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a total of approximately 1,000 grams of white crystalline substance were also found.
The total value of the seized drugs was estimated at P90 million.
In addition to the illegal drugs, authorities confiscated three cellular phones, a vehicle, and two identification cards belonging to the suspects.
The two individuals now face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. The seized evidence is currently in the custody of PDEA ROV, while the suspects are detained at Matnog Municipal Police Station for proper legal proceedings.
