Authorities confiscated more than half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu and arrested three individuals during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Isabela City Police Station on Friday night in Purok Greenfield, Barangay Sumagdang.
Arrested during the operation were live-in partners identified only by their aliases “Bornok” and “Marivic,” along with a pedicab driver who reportedly resides in Kaumpurnah Zone 2.
According to police reports, operatives recovered five packets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of over ₱500,000. Authorities also seized buy-bust money, a caliber .45 firearm, several rounds of ammunition, and an undisclosed amount of cash from the suspects.
The operation formed part of the intensified anti-illegal drug campaign being carried out by local police authorities in an effort to curb criminal activities and dismantle the distribution of prohibited substances in the city.
Investigators are now conducting a deeper probe to determine whether the arrested individuals are linked to a wider illegal drug network and to trace the possible source of the confiscated suspected shabu.
Police said the recovery of a firearm during the operation raised further concerns over the potential connection between illegal drug activities and other criminal offenses.
The suspects are currently under police custody while authorities prepare the filing of appropriate charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and possible firearms-related offenses.
The incident also renewed public concern over the continued proliferation of illegal drugs in communities, especially as ordinary residents have allegedly become involved in the illegal trade.
Meanwhile, police authorities reiterated their commitment to sustaining aggressive anti-illegal drug operations to maintain peace, order, and public safety in Isabela City.