CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) officer and two other suspected drug personalities were arrested during a pre-dawn anti-illegal drug operation conducted jointly by the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 10 in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City, authorities said.
The buy-bust operation was carried out at approximately 4:32 a.m. on July 28, 2026, resulting in the arrest of three male suspects identified only by their aliases: “Tams,” 32; “James,” 35, a dismissed PNP officer; and “Apon,” 35. All three are residents of Cagayan de Oro City.
According to PRO10, alias “Tams” was the primary target of the anti-drug operation. Authorities reported that during the implementation of the buy-bust, the three suspects were found inside an abandoned house, where they were allegedly engaged in a pot session.
Police said both “Tams” and “James” were considered first-time offenders in relation to the operation, while “Apon” was allegedly a second-time offender who is currently under probation.
The operation was conducted by the Station Anti-Illegal Drug Team (SAIDT) of Police Station 8 of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), in coordination with PDEA Regional Office 10 and personnel from the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC).
Authorities confiscated eight sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of approximately 50 grams, carrying a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱340,000. Also recovered during the operation were assorted drug paraphernalia, one caliber .38 revolver, three live rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles, one cellular phone, and the ₱1,000 marked buy-bust money used in the operation.
Further investigation revealed that alias “James” had previously tested positive for illegal drug use during a random drug test conducted on November 25, 2025, while he was still an active member of the Philippine National Police.
Police said that following administrative proceedings, the officer went absent without official leave (AWOL) before eventually being dismissed from the police service. His dismissal officially took effect on June 18, 2026, several weeks before his arrest in the anti-drug operation.
Authorities noted that aside from the illegal drug charges, the recovery of the firearm from the dismissed police officer will also result in an additional criminal case.
The three suspects are currently under the custody of Police Station 8, COCPO, pending the filing of appropriate charges.
They will face charges for violations of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) under Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, alias “James” will also be charged for violating Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in connection with the firearm recovered during the operation.
The arrest underscores the continuing joint anti-drug campaign of PRO10 and PDEA Region 10 against illegal drug trafficking and abuse in Northern Mindanao, including efforts to hold former law enforcement personnel accountable when found violating the law.