CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Authorities in Northern Mindanao apprehended two individuals and confiscated suspected shabu worth nearly ₱924,000 in separate buy-bust operations on Tuesday night, July 8.
According to the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10), the first operation occurred at around 9:23 PM along Domingo Velez Street in Barangay 32, Cagayan de Oro City. Operatives from Team 1 of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10 (RPDEU10) and Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU10) arrested a suspect identified only by the alias “Orak,” 18 years old, a student, and a resident of Barangay Boganga, Marawi City.
Seized from the suspect were six heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 116 grams, with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱788,800. Authorities also recovered a brown paper bag and two ₱1,000 bills used as marked money.
Initial investigation suggests that the illegal drugs were sourced from Marawi City and transported to Cagayan de Oro for distribution.
About 40 minutes later, at around 10:04 PM, personnel from the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) launched another buy-bust in Calaanan, Canitoan. This resulted in the arrest of alias “Dom,” 29 years old, a resident of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro.
Recovered from him were two sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 20 grams with an SDP of ₱136,000, an Android cellphone, a cigarette box used to hide the drugs, and ₱500 in buy-bust money.
Both suspects are currently detained at the Maharlika Detention Cell and CDEU-COCPO, respectively. Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against them.
PBGen Rolindo M. Suguilon, Regional Director of PRO10, commended the successful operations, highlighting the police force’s unwavering commitment to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
“These successful operations reflect our relentless efforts to suppress illegal drug activities in Northern Mindanao,” said Suguilon. “PRO10 remains committed to protecting our communities from the harm caused by illegal drugs. We urge the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activities in their areas.”
PRO10 continues to intensify its anti-drug operations in the region as part of a broader effort to ensure safer and drug-free communities.