Agusan del Norte, Philippines – Authorities in Agusan del Norte intensified their campaign against illegal drugs, arresting four individuals—including two tagged as High-Value Individuals (HVIs) and two Street-Level Individuals (SLIs)—in a series of buy-bust operations carried out from July 24 to 25, 2025.
In Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) town, operatives of the RTR Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Agusan del Norte, apprehended alias “Emot,” a 28-year-old resident of Magallanes town. The suspect, a newly identified SLI, was caught in possession of suspected shabu during a buy-bust in Purok 6, Poblacion 2 on July 24.
Meanwhile, on July 25, three separate operations in Cabadbaran City, Santiago, and Tubay towns also resulted in the arrest of suspected drug personalities and the seizure of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
In Cabadbaran City, drug enforcement personnel of the local police station, in coordination with PDEA, arrested alias “Edito,” 64, a tricycle driver and resident of Brgy. La Union. Classified as a High-Value Individual, he was apprehended in Purok 7 of the same barangay during a buy-bust operation.
In a separate operation, Santiago Municipal Police Station, with PDEA’s support, arrested alias “Alvin,” a 37-year-old fisherman from Cabadbaran City. Tagged as a High-Value Individual, “Alvin” was nabbed in Zone 4, Brgy. Poblacion 2, Santiago town.
In Tubay, police arrested 26-year-old alias “Oscar,” a carpenter from Butuan City. He was caught selling suspected shabu in Purok 9, Brgy. Doña Rosario. Authorities identified him as a Street-Level Individual.
All suspects were informed of their constitutional rights in a language they understood and are now under the custody of their respective arresting units. They face charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Alias “Emot” will also face charges under RA 10591, which penalizes unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Witnesses from the Department of Justice, local barangays, and media were present during the operations to ensure transparency.
PCOL April Mark C. Young, Provincial Director of the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO), commended the personnel involved for their preemptive and intelligence-driven work. “These arrests are a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated anti-drug efforts in disrupting the operations of criminal elements,” he said.