CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A 28-year-old high-value drug suspect was arrested while more than ₱455,000 worth of suspected shabu was confiscated during a joint anti-illegal drug operation in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental late Saturday night, July 4, authorities said.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Boss,” was apprehended at around 11:29 p.m. in Sitio Sihayon, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Tagoloan, following a successful buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Special Operations Unit 10 (SOU 10) of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP DEG).
Police identified the arrested individual as a High-Value Individual (HVI) in the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
The operation was carried out under the leadership of Police Brigadier General Elmer E. Ragay, Director of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, in close coordination with multiple law enforcement and intelligence units. Participating agencies included the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 10, Misamis Oriental Regional Special Enforcement Team, Provincial Intelligence Unit of Misamis Oriental, Tagoloan Municipal Police Station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Misamis Oriental, Regional Intelligence Unit 10, Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office 10, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10, and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group–Mindanao Field Unit 10.
Authorities recovered approximately 67 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect’s possession. The illegal drugs have an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱455,600, according to law enforcement authorities. Several non-drug items believed to be connected to the illegal drug transaction were also confiscated during the operation.
Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to the SOU 10 office for booking, documentation, and the filing of appropriate charges. Meanwhile, the seized suspected shabu was turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit 10 for qualitative and quantitative laboratory examination to confirm its composition and weight.
Authorities have yet to disclose additional details regarding the suspect’s alleged drug network as investigations continue to identify possible associates and determine the extent of the illegal drug operation.
PBGen. Ragay commended the participating units for the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in dismantling illegal drug activities.
“Your unwavering commitment, seamless coordination, and relentless efforts in the campaign against illegal drugs continue to strengthen public safety and uphold the rule of law,” Ragay said.
The latest operation forms part of the continuing nationwide campaign of the PNP and PDEA to neutralize high-value drug personalities and disrupt the illegal drug trade through intelligence-driven operations and strengthened coordination among law enforcement agencies.