CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – A buy-bust operation conducted on December 15, 2024, in Purok 2B, Barangay Santiago, Iligan City, led to the arrest of a high-value drug suspect, identified as alias “Josh,” a 29-year-old resident of Purok 10, Balite Drive in the same barangay. Joint operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10 (RPDEU10), Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU-10), and Police Station 1 of the Iligan City Police Office (PS1-ICPO) carried out the successful operation.
The suspect, classified as a Top 10 Regional Level High-Value Individual (HVI) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) Top 6 City Level Target, was apprehended with a total of nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The confiscated drugs, weighing 80 grams, have an estimated Standard Drug Price of PhP544,000.00. Authorities also recovered two disposable lighters, one coin purse, and a PhP500.00 bill used as marked money in the operation.
Initial reports suggest that the seized drugs were allegedly sourced from Marawi City. This marks the suspect’s first recorded offense. The arrested individual and the seized items are currently under the custody of the Iligan City Forensic Unit 10 for proper documentation and disposition. Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are set to be filed against the suspect.
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10), lauded the operatives for their dedication and successful execution of the operation.
“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to making Northern Mindanao a safer place for our communities. I hope this arrest sends a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade that we will relentlessly pursue them,” PBGEN De Guzman stated.
The authorities reaffirm their commitment to eradicating illegal drugs in the region, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in achieving a drug-free society.