KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Authorities arrested a 36-year-old construction worker during a buy-bust operation that led to the confiscation of more than ₱1.19 million worth of suspected shabu in Purok Masipag, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Koronadal City, early morning Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The suspect, identified only by his alias “Ron” or “Ron-Ron,” is a resident of the said barangay and is now in police custody.
According to the police report, the operation was jointly conducted by the Koronadal City Police Station–City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (CPS-CPDEU), South Cotabato Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (SCPPDEU), Intelligence operatives of KCPS, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Intelligence Division 12 Tracker Team Charlie, in coordination with PDEA Region 12.
The suspect was caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu weighing about 0.03 grams worth ₱500 to an undercover police operative. A subsequent search led to the seizure of four (4) additional heat-sealed transparent sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 175 grams with an estimated street value of ₱1,190,000.
Authorities also recovered the marked ₱500 bill used during the transaction. The inventory of seized items was conducted in the presence of the suspect, a media representative from Radyo Rapido, and an elected official of Barangay Sta. Cruz.
The confiscated illegal drugs were turned over to the South Cotabato Provincial Forensic Unit for examination.
The arrested suspect will face charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”
Police Regional Office 12 reaffirmed its commitment to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs under the “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative, ensuring peace, order, and safety within local communities.