June 28, 2025 – Madalum, Lanao del Sur — Two suspected shabu peddlers allegedly linked to the Dawlah Islamiya terror group were arrested in a joint anti-drug operation in Barangay Linuk, Madalum, Lanao del Sur on Saturday, June 28. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than ₱533,000 worth of illegal drugs.
The entrapment operation was conducted at around 8:30 AM by a composite team from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) and Provincial Special Operations Group (PSOG) of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (LDSPPO), in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFB14-A), Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) PRO BAR, Regional Intelligence and Analysis Team (RIAT) Lanao del Sur, and Madalum Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), confirmed that the two suspects sold 78.4 grams of suspected shabu to undercover operatives in Barangay Linuk. The drugs have an estimated street value of ₱533,000.
Authorities recovered the following during the buy-bust:
- One heat-sealed sachet containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 16.2 grams valued at ₱110,160
- Four additional sachets weighing around 62.22 grams, valued at ₱423,096
- One genuine ₱500 bill and 29 photocopied ₱500 bills used as marked money
- One black waist bag and an identification card
An on-site inventory of the confiscated items was conducted in accordance with legal procedures, witnessed by a DOJ representative and a local elected official.
According to members of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Peace and Order Council, both suspects are reportedly affiliated with the Dawlah Islamiya, a local terror group with a dwindling presence in the forested hinterlands along the Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte border. Intelligence reports suggest that the suspects were funneling portions of their drug profits to support the group’s operations.
Police officials noted that the success of the operation was made possible through the cooperation of provincial officials, including Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. and community leaders in Madalum.
Police Director Cabuhat praised the joint law enforcement effort, saying, “I commend the operatives of LDSPPO and our partner units for this major breakthrough in the campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism. The arrest of these high-value suspects is a significant step in disrupting the drug-terror network in the region. Your commitment to protecting our communities is truly commendable.”
The suspects and the seized items are now under the custody of Madalum MPS as formal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are being filed.