ILIGAN CITY — A 43-year-old man was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by law enforcement authorities in Canaway, Barangay Tibanga, Iligan City on the evening of March 14, 2026, resulting in the confiscation of suspected illegal drugs worth more than ₱440,000.
Authorities said the suspect was apprehended after selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth ₱500 to an undercover operative during the anti-drug operation.
Following the arrest, operatives conducted a search that led to the recovery of approximately 65 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of ₱442,000.
During initial questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted that he had been repacking shabu, suggesting involvement in the preparation and distribution of illegal drugs in the area.
The suspect is currently under the custody of Police Station 5 of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) while the confiscated drug evidence will be turned over to the Iligan City Forensic Unit–10 for qualitative and quantitative examination to determine the exact composition and weight of the seized substances.
The buy-bust operation was carried out through the coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement units. The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) Regional Drug Enforcement Unit Team 3 Iligan served as the lead unit, with support from the City Mobile Force Company of the Iligan City Police Office, the 1005th Regional Mobile Force Battalion, the Regional Intelligence Unit–10, Police Station 5, the Iligan City Police Office, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Authorities have yet to release the identity of the suspect pending the filing of formal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police officials said the arrest underscores the continuing campaign of law enforcement agencies to dismantle illegal drug networks and curb the proliferation of dangerous drugs in Iligan City and neighboring communities.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether the suspect is connected to a larger drug distribution network operating in the region.