KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Two alleged drug personalities were arrested during a late-night anti-illegal drug operation conducted by the Koronadal City Police, resulting in the seizure of more than ₱510,000 worth of suspected shabu and the filing of criminal charges under the country’s anti-drug law.
The buy-bust operation was carried out at around 10:00 p.m. on July 5 in Barangay Morales, Koronadal City, by operatives of the Koronadal City Police Station under the leadership of Lt. Col. Harold Cornel.
Police identified the arrested suspects only by their aliases “Obet,” a 38-year-old laborer and resident of Barangay Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato, and “Jess,” a 42-year-old electrician from Barangay Manuel M. Roxas, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato.
According to investigators, the suspects were apprehended immediately after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police operative during the buy-bust operation.
A follow-up search led authorities to recover three additional sachets containing suspected shabu, bringing the total estimated street value of the confiscated illegal drugs to more than ₱510,000, based on police estimates.
Authorities also recovered the ₱500 marked buy-bust money used during the operation, which served as evidence of the illegal transaction.
In addition to the illegal drugs, police seized the motorcycle allegedly used by the suspects in facilitating their drug activities. The vehicle will undergo proper documentation as part of the ongoing investigation.
The confiscated pieces of evidence were properly inventoried and will be submitted for forensic laboratory examination to confirm the nature and weight of the seized substances.
The two suspects are now under police custody and are facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Koronadal City Police reiterated its commitment to intensifying anti-illegal drug operations as part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing campaign against the proliferation of dangerous drugs in the city and neighboring communities. Investigators are also looking into whether the arrested individuals are linked to a larger drug distribution network operating in South Cotabato.