CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A Grade 11 student from a public school in this city was arrested in an anti-illegal drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) at Zone 8, Lower Westbound Terminal, Bulua.
The suspect was caught after selling a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer who posed as a buyer, using a marked ₱500 bill. Police confirmed that the student was immediately placed under custody following the transaction.
During interrogation, the teenager claimed that he was merely instructed to deliver the illegal substance, insisting that he was only acting as a courier. However, authorities stressed that ignorance or coercion does not exempt anyone from criminal liability.
The minor is now detained at Police Station 7 in Bulua. In a statement, the arrested student lamented that he would no longer be able to attend a scheduled school activity on Monday, as he faces possible charges related to violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Police said the arrest highlights the alarming trend of illegal drug groups exploiting young people to peddle narcotics. “This is a serious concern, especially when students are dragged into the illegal drug trade. We remain firm in our campaign to protect communities, particularly the youth, from the scourge of drugs,” an officer said.
Charges are now being prepared against the suspect as COCPO continues its intensified anti-drug operations in the city.