LANAO DEL SUR — Law enforcement authorities intensified their anti-illegal drugs campaign in Lanao del Sur with the successful seizure of more than ₱350,000 worth of suspected shabu and the arrest of two suspects in separate buy-bust operations conducted in Wao and Marawi City on January 20 and 21, 2026.
In Wao town, authorities confiscated ₱204,000 worth of suspected shabu and arrested a suspect identified only as alias “Aki” during a buy-bust operation on January 21, 2026, at Purok 2, Barangay Serran Village. The operation was jointly carried out by operatives of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit BAR, Wao Municipal Police Station, and several partner units, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – BARMM.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a total of 30 grams of suspected shabu, along with marked buy-bust money. The suspect was immediately placed under police custody for booking and the filing of appropriate charges, while the seized evidence was turned over for proper disposition.
A day earlier, on January 20, 2026, operatives of the Marawi City Police Station arrested a street-level individual and seized ₱148,920 worth of suspected shabu during another buy-bust operation in Barangay Mipantao Gadongan, Marawi City. The operation, conducted under a pre-operation plan, resulted in the recovery of 15 heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing a total of 21.9 grams, as well as buy-bust money consisting of a genuine ₱1,000 bill placed on top of cut photocopied bills.
Both suspects are set to face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Provincial Director PCOL Caezar P. Cabuhat of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office commended the operating units for their coordinated efforts, stressing that sustained collaboration among law enforcement agencies remains crucial in curbing the illegal drug trade.
“These operations reflect our firm resolve to protect our communities and aggressively pursue individuals involved in illegal drugs,” Cabuhat said, assuring the public that intensified anti-drug operations will continue across the province.