MATI CITY, Davao Oriental — A top priority illegal drug personality identified only by the alias “Crismar” was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by authorities Friday evening, May 8, at the Baywalk area in Barangay Central, Mati City.
Police said the operation was carried out at around 7:00 p.m. by personnel of the Mati City Police Station led by PCPT Ariel A. Ismael, Officer-in-Charge, under the supervision of PLTCOL Frederick C. Sa-ao, Acting Chief of Police, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 – Davao Oriental Provincial Office and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO).
The suspect, a 36-year-old fish vendor and resident of Purok 5, Barangay Little Panay, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, was reportedly caught in the act during the anti-drug operation.
Authorities confiscated approximately 570 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱3,876,000.
Also recovered from the suspect’s possession were several non-drug pieces of evidence, including five ₱1,000 bills used as marked money during the buy-bust operation, an Android cellphone, a digital weighing scale, a checkered clutch bag, a tribal coin purse, a set of keys, assorted cash amounting to ₱3,900, a paper bag containing suspected illegal drugs, and a Suzuki minivan believed to have been used by the suspect.
The operation was personally supervised by Davao Oriental Provincial Director PCOL Ritchie S. Bucol, who lauded the operating teams for the successful conduct of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“We remain committed to intensifying our efforts to keep Davao Oriental safe and to ensure that those involved in illegal drug activities are brought before the law,” Bucol said.
Police authorities emphasized that the arrest was part of intensified intelligence-driven operations and strengthened coordination with the community to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in Mati City and the province of Davao Oriental.
The suspect is currently under police custody and is set to face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities reiterated their call for public cooperation in reporting illegal drug activities as part of efforts to maintain peace and order in the city.