Butuan City Police Office, Butuan City – March 8, 2025 – In a major anti-drug operation, the Butuan City Police Office City Drug Enforcement Unit (BCPO-CDEU) successfully apprehended three High-Value Individuals (HVIs) and seized approximately 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu,” with an estimated Standard Drug Price value of Php2,720,000.00.
The buy-bust operation took place at around 12:30 PM in Purok-4, Barangay Holy Redeemer, Butuan City. A poseur buyer from BCPO-CDEU purchased a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing the suspected illegal substance from the suspects, leading to their immediate arrest.
The apprehended suspects were identified as:
- Sanse (also known as “Yral/Lary”), a 31-year-old unemployed male from Sarimanok, Marawi City, currently residing in Barangay Holy Redeemer, Butuan City. He had a previous arrest in 2016 for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
- Ram, a 41-year-old male security guard from Barangay Bilay, Butuan City.
- Letty, a 40-year-old unemployed female from Purok-4, Barangay Magsikap, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro.
Authorities recovered multiple drug-related items from the suspects, including:
- Two knot-tied transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu.
- Two medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets with suspected shabu.
- Twenty-two small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu.
- Various drug paraphernalia.
BCPO Director PCOL Rommel D. Villamor emphasized the significance of the operation in disrupting illegal drug activities in Butuan City.
“This successful operation highlights our firm commitment to eradicating illegal drugs in our city. The arrest of these High-Value Individuals and the confiscation of a large quantity of shabu will have a major impact on the local drug trade. Let this serve as a strong warning to others involved in illegal drug activities,” Villamor stated.
The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of BCPO-CDEU, and charges for violating Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against them. Meanwhile, the confiscated substances and paraphernalia will be sent to the Regional Crime Laboratory for forensic examination.
Villamor urged the public to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with law enforcement by providing information about illegal drug activities in their communities.
“Let us work together to keep Butuan City safe from the dangers of illegal drugs,” he added.
