CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – In a major blow to the illegal drug trade, the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) arrested five individuals in two separate buy-bust operations on the night of July 3, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro City, resulting in the confiscation of suspected shabu with a total street value of ₱816,000.
At around 10:20 p.m., personnel from the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office launched a buy-bust operation in Agora, Barangay Lapasan. Three suspects were apprehended during the sting, identified by their aliases as “Jeo,” 41, a resident of El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental; “Niel,” 54, a retired Army personnel; and “Adoy,” 34, both from Cagayan de Oro City.
Authorities seized four heat-sealed plastic sachets containing approximately 55 grams of suspected shabu, valued at ₱374,000. Also recovered from the scene were a caliber .22 magnum revolver loaded with four live rounds, a mobile phone, drug paraphernalia, and ₱500 used as marked money during the operation.
Police identified “Jeo” as the main target, with the firearm found in his possession. “Niel,” considered a High-Value Individual (HVI), was reportedly holding the seized drugs, while “Adoy” was caught in the act of using illegal drugs. All three are first-time offenders, according to investigators.
Just 20 minutes later, at approximately 10:40 p.m., another buy-bust operation was conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10 (RPDEU 10), in coordination with the Special Operations Unit 10 of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (SOU 10 PDEG) and the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), in Barangay Patag.
The operation led to the arrest of two more suspects: alias “Taypax,” 26, identified as a Regional Priority Target, and “JM,” 35, both residents of Brgy. Patag. Police recovered eight heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 65 grams, with an estimated value of ₱442,000. Confiscated items also included a red wallet, a cigarette pack, an Android phone, and ₱1,000 in marked money.
Records show that both “Taypax” and “JM” had previously served sentences for drug-related offenses following their conviction in 2023.
All five suspects are now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PBGEN Rolindo M. Suguilon, Regional Director of PRO10, commended the operatives for their swift and coordinated actions.
“The apprehension of these drug suspects sends a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade that their activities will not be tolerated,” said Suguilon. “We remain steadfast in our mission to keep Northern Mindanao safe and drug-free.”
He also called on the public to continue supporting the government’s anti-drug campaign by reporting suspicious activities to authorities.