Camp Gallego, Tubod, Lanao del Norte – July 18, 2025 — In a continued crackdown on illegal drug activities, law enforcement authorities arrested two male suspects in separate operations conducted in Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) and Matungao, Lanao del Norte, both on July 18, 2025.
In the municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, personnel of the SND Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 10, carried out a successful buy-bust operation at Purok 4, Barangay Pandanan. The operation led to the arrest of a 29-year-old male suspect from Barangay Santo Niño, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur. The suspect, jobless and married, was caught after selling one sachet of suspected shabu to a police operative acting as a poseur-buyer.
Further search yielded 24 more sachets containing suspected shabu with a total estimated weight of 3.1 grams and a combined street value of approximately ₱21,080.00. Also confiscated were two ₱100 bills used as marked money, ₱200 in mixed denominations, an improvised clip stick, empty cellophane, a disposable lighter, and a mobile phone.
The entire operation was witnessed by a barangay official and a media representative. The suspect now faces charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He is currently detained at the SND MPS, while the seized substances were turned over to the Lanao del Norte Provincial Forensic Unit for examination.
Meanwhile, in Matungao town, a composite team of Matungao MPS personnel, also in coordination with PDEA, implemented a court-issued search warrant at Purok 1, Lower Barangay Puntod. The warrant, issued by Hon. Ali Ombra Raiz Bacaraman of RTC Branch 04 in Iligan City, led to the arrest of a 41-year-old married male construction worker.
Seized from the suspect’s possession were four sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 1 gram and valued at ₱6,800. Also recovered during the search were a blue disposable lighter, two pieces of folded aluminum foil, and a black wallet.
Authorities are preparing to file cases for violation of Sections 11 (possession), 12 (possession of drug paraphernalia), and 15 (use of dangerous drugs) of RA 9165 against the suspect, who is now under the custody of Matungao MPS for further processing.
The successful operations underscore the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office’s unwavering commitment to the campaign against illegal drugs in the province.