LANAO DEL NORTE — In a series of coordinated anti-illegal drug operations on the evening of December 5, 2025, police units across Lanao del Norte arrested three drug suspects and seized a combined total of over ₱160,000 worth of suspected shabu in Lala, Linamon, and Kapatagan.
In Lala, a buy-bust operation launched at around 10:20 PM by the Lala Municipal Police Station and the Lanao del Norte Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit led to the arrest of alias “Bakang,” 39, a jobless resident of Barangay Maranding. The suspect was caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.10 grams valued at ₱680 to a poseur-buyer. A body search yielded an additional 3.50 grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱23,800, along with drug paraphernalia, a marked ₱500 bill, and a black sling bag. The total confiscated illegal drugs weighed approximately 3.60 grams with an SDP value of ₱24,480. All procedures were conducted in the presence of the suspect, barangay officials, and media representatives to ensure compliance with chain-of-custody rules.
In Linamon, a search warrant implementation at 8:20 PM in Barangay Magoong resulted in the arrest of alias “Mer,” 27. Police recovered five sachets of suspected shabu—three large and two small—inside the suspect’s residence, with an estimated weight of 15 grams and a street value of ₱102,000. Folded aluminum foil, a coin purse, and a lighter were also seized. The recovered items were properly inventoried onsite in the presence of a barangay kagawad and a media representative.
Meanwhile, in Kapatagan, a buy-bust operation carried out at Purok 12, Poblacion at around 8:20 PM resulted in the arrest of alias “Popoy,” 36. He was caught selling 0.5 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱3,400 to an undercover operative. Additional seized items included two medium sachets containing about 4 grams of suspected shabu, another sachet weighing 0.5 grams, several bills used during the operation, a cellphone, and a wallet. In total, police confiscated approximately 5 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱34,000.
All arrested individuals will face charges for violating various provisions of Republic Act 9165, including illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs. The suspects are currently detained in their respective municipal police stations, while the seized drug evidence has been turned over to forensic units for laboratory examination.
PCOL Leo De Leon Sua, Acting Provincial Director of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, praised the operating units for their swift, coordinated, and lawful conduct of the operations. He reaffirmed the PPO’s commitment to intensifying efforts against drug trafficking in the province.
“These operations underscore our unwavering dedication to protecting our communities from the dangers of illegal drugs. We will continue to pursue offenders and ensure that justice is served,” he said.