CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The anti-illegal drug campaign of the Philippine National Police intensified in Northern Mindanao after two separate operations led by Police Regional Office 10 resulted in the arrest of four drug suspects and the seizure of approximately 130 grams of suspected shabu valued at about ₱884,000.
Authorities said the first operation was carried out late on February 20, 2026, at around 11:15 p.m. in Barangay Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte. Operatives from the Iligan Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10, in coordination with the 1005th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 and the Linamon Municipal Police Station, served Search Warrant No. 26-0250 issued by a regional trial court branch in Iligan City.
The search targeted a suspect identified only by the alias “Tata,” 49, a resident of the village. During the operation, police confiscated assorted heat-sealed plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu weighing around 60 grams. Authorities estimated the seized drugs to have a market value of about ₱408,000. A black fabric coin pouch allegedly used to store the illegal substance was also recovered.
While the operation was ongoing, personnel of the 1005th Regional Mobile Force Battalion implementing a separate search warrant for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 discovered a suspected caliber .45 handgun inside the suspect’s residence, along with one magazine loaded with three live rounds and a holster.
A few hours later, another anti-drug operation unfolded in Zone 1, Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro, where law enforcement units conducted a buy-bust operation at around 1:17 a.m. on February 21. The operation was jointly carried out by RPDEU-10 personnel in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 10, the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, and other supporting units.
The buy-bust led to the arrest of a suspect known as “Lager,” 41, along with his live-in partner “Mae-Mae,” 26. Both are residents of the barangay and were reportedly known by authorities to be operating illegal drug activities in the area.
Recovered during the operation were one buy-bust sachet and eight additional sachets containing suspected shabu with a total estimated weight of about 70 grams and a street value of approximately ₱476,000. Police also seized a cellular phone, a black coin purse, and the marked buy-bust money used in the transaction.
Authorities said charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the arrested suspects. The confiscated drug items have been submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit 10 for laboratory examination, while the suspects remain under police custody.
PBGen. Christopher N. Abrahanbo, regional director of Police Regional Office 10, reiterated the police force’s determination to curb illegal drug activities in Northern Mindanao. He assured the public that the regional police command will continue to carry out aggressive, intelligence-driven operations to enforce Republic Act 9165 and dismantle drug networks operating across the region.