Authorities intensified their campaign against illegal drugs in Lanao del Sur, resulting in the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of suspected shabu in a series of coordinated operations conducted from April 2 to April 4, 2026.
In Piagapo town, two 40-year-old suspects, both residents of Marawi City, were apprehended during an anti-criminality checkpoint operation by personnel of the Piagapo Municipal Police Station along Barangay Bubo on April 4. The suspects were riding a black Kawasaki Fury 125 motorcycle when they were flagged down for routine inspection.
Police reported that the duo exhibited suspicious behavior upon nearing the checkpoint, attempting to evade authorities and later becoming uncooperative. This prompted operatives to enforce lawful measures to ensure safety and proceed with the inspection. Recovered from their possession were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, weighing approximately one gram with an estimated street value of Php 6,800.
The suspects were taken into custody and brought to the Piagapo Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In a separate checkpoint operation on April 2, authorities arrested another suspect along the highway of Barangay Patani in Marawi City. The operation was jointly conducted by the Marawi City Police Station and the 2nd Platoon of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company.
The suspect, a 40-year-old resident of Barangay Dalama, Mulondo, was onboard a brown Suzuki Burgman motorcycle when he approached the checkpoint. According to police, the suspect appeared uneasy and, when flagged down, suddenly accelerated and struck a checkpoint signage, prompting operatives to immediately subdue and arrest him.
A subsequent search of the motorcycle’s compartment led to the discovery of two sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 10 grams, with an estimated value of Php 68,000. The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and was brought to the Marawi City Police Station for proper documentation and filing of charges under Republic Act 9165.
Meanwhile, two more suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted on the same day in Barangay Dimarao, Balindong. Operatives from the Balindong Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit, successfully apprehended the suspects identified by their aliases “Camama,” a farmer, and “Nairah,” a housewife.
The suspects were caught in the act of selling illegal drugs to an undercover operative. Authorities recovered a cigarette pack containing six sachets of suspected shabu, along with one sachet sold during the transaction. The confiscated substances had a total estimated weight of two grams, valued at Php 13,600. Marked money, cash, and other non-drug items were also seized during the operation.
All arrested individuals are now under police custody, while charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against them.
Provincial Director PCOL Caezar P. Cabuhat of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office commended the operating units for their vigilance and professionalism. He emphasized that checkpoint operations and buy-bust activities remain critical in curbing the proliferation of illegal drugs and maintaining peace and order in the province.
Authorities also reiterated their call for public cooperation, stressing that compliance with lawful police procedures—especially during checkpoint operations—is essential in ensuring community safety and security.