CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Three individuals were arrested and more than ₱1 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in a joint anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local police authorities in Sitio Mambato, Barangay Agora, early morning on February 10, 2026.
The buy-bust operation was carried out at around 4:56 a.m. by operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) Team 2 as the lead unit, in coordination with PDEA Regional Special Enforcement Team 10 (RSET-10), Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), Cagayan de Oro City Police Office Station 5 (COCPO PS5), Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 10 (PDEG SOU-10), and Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU-10), under the supervision of PDEA Region 10.
Authorities identified the arrested suspects as a 35-year-old male resident of Sitio Mambato, a 33-year-old female resident of Zone 3, San Lazaro, Agora, and a 43-year-old male from Libertad, Butuan City. Their identities were withheld pending the filing of formal charges.
According to law enforcement officials, the suspects were caught in the act of selling illegal drugs to an undercover operative, leading to their immediate arrest following the successful consummation of the transaction.
Seized from the suspects were one small sachet of suspected shabu used as the buy-bust item valued at ₱1,000, four additional sachets of suspected shabu recovered as possession items, a red eco bag, a transparent cellophane container used to store the illegal substances, and two marked ₱1,000 bills used as buy-bust money.
Authorities reported that the confiscated illegal drugs had an estimated total weight of approximately 150 grams, with a standard drug price valued at around ₱1,020,000.
The arrested individuals were immediately informed of their constitutional rights and were subsequently brought to the Maharlika Detention Facility, where they remain in custody for proper disposition and further investigation.
Meanwhile, the seized drugs were turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit 10 (RFU-10) for laboratory examination and confirmation as part of the evidence in the case.
The suspects are expected to face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly for illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs.
PDEA and police officials reiterated their commitment to intensify anti-drug operations in Northern Mindanao, stressing that coordinated law enforcement efforts remain crucial in dismantling drug networks and protecting communities from the harmful effects of illegal substances.
Authorities also urged the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities in their neighborhoods, emphasizing that community vigilance plays a vital role in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.