GLAN, Sarangani Province — A suspected notorious drug pusher tagged as a high-value target was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by joint anti-drug authorities on Wednesday evening, May 27, in Barangay Tapon, Glan, Sarangani Province.
The operation, carried out at around 6:09 p.m. in Purok Basakan, was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Sarangani Provincial Office with support from the PDEA Regional Office 12 Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), the Glan Municipal Police Station, and the 1st Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Authorities identified the suspect only through his alias “Arnel,” 43, a hardware employee and resident of Barangay Tapon.
According to PDEA, the suspect had been under months of monitoring, surveillance, and validation operations after receiving reports linking him to the illegal sale of dangerous drugs in the area. Investigators also revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in selling illegal drugs to minors, raising alarm among authorities and residents.
During the operation, law enforcement agents were able to recover approximately 15 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of Php102,000. Also seized were the marked buy-bust money and other pieces of evidence related to the illegal drug transaction.
Authorities said the confiscated evidence was properly inventoried, documented, and turned over to the appropriate office for laboratory examination and proper disposition.
The arrested suspect is now facing charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which cover the illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs.
PDEA and police authorities reiterated their commitment to intensifying anti-illegal drug operations across Sarangani Province, particularly against high-value drug personalities allegedly victimizing communities and vulnerable sectors, including minors.
Officials also urged the public to continue cooperating with authorities by reporting suspicious drug-related activities in their communities as part of the government’s continuing campaign against illegal narcotics.