CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities arrested a suspected high-value drug personality and confiscated approximately P442,000 worth of suspected shabu during a late-night anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, on June 22.
The operation, conducted at around 11:04 p.m., was jointly carried out by personnel of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and the City Mobile Force Company of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (CMFC-COCPO), in coordination with the regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Habibi,” 28, married, and a resident of Barangay Carmen, was classified by authorities as a High-Value Individual (HVI) involved in the illegal drug trade.
Police records revealed that the suspect is a second-time offender who had previously been arrested for a similar drug-related offense and was released in 2021. Investigators said that despite his prior arrest and the absence of any legitimate source of income, he allegedly resumed his involvement in illegal drug activities and continued distributing prohibited substances within his community and neighboring barangays.
Seized during the buy-bust operation were four large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The confiscated drugs weighed approximately 65 grams and carried an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P442,000.
Authorities also recovered several personal belongings and items believed to be connected to the suspect’s illegal activities, including a belt bag, an Android cellular phone, a coin purse, a wallet, a Euro brand motorcycle, and a marked P500 bill used as buy-bust money.
Following his arrest, the suspect was placed under the custody of the City Drug Enforcement Unit for proper documentation and legal processing.
Authorities are preparing charges against him for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale, trading, distribution, and possession of illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, the confiscated suspected shabu will be submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit 10 (RFU-10) for qualitative and quantitative examination to confirm its composition and weight.
The successful operation was lauded by Christopher N. Abrahano, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10), who commended the operating teams for their dedication and commitment to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
“This achievement shows our hard work to clear Northern Mindanao of illegal drugs. Every arrest and every gram seized brings us closer to a safer community. We will not stop chasing those who threaten our public safety,” Abrahano said.
The arrest underscores the continuing efforts of law enforcement agencies in Northern Mindanao to dismantle illegal drug networks and prevent the proliferation of dangerous drugs in local communities. Authorities vowed to sustain intensified anti-drug operations as part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace, order, and public safety across the region.