Cotabato City, July 29, 2025 — A 28-year-old payong-payong (tricycle) driver was arrested Tuesday morning in a successful anti-drug operation in Barangay Rosary Heights 9, Cotabato City, yielding ₱238,000 worth of suspected shabu.
The suspect, identified as Abubakar Kunsi Maguid, a resident of Barangay Rosary Heights 10, was caught red-handed selling illegal drugs to undercover police officers during a buy-bust operation conducted by joint operatives from the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) and the Cotabato City Police Office.
Authorities recovered 35 grams of suspected shabu contained in seven plastic sachets, along with the marked buy-bust money. Also impounded was Maguid’s minivan, allegedly used in transporting the illegal drugs to his contacts in the city and neighboring towns in Maguindanao del Norte.
The operation was carried out with the support of local barangay officials and the office of Mayor Bruce Matabalao, chair of the Cotabato City Peace and Order Council.
Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, PRO-BAR regional director, confirmed the arrest in a report released Friday, stating that the seized evidence will be used to prosecute Maguid for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Maguid is currently detained at the city police facility pending the filing of formal charges.