TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Authorities arrested two suspected drug personalities, including a High-Value Individual (HVI), and confiscated approximately 30 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated ₱204,000 during a buy-bust operation conducted in Barangay Madaum, Tagum City on Friday afternoon, July 3.
The operation, carried out at around 4:21 p.m., was led by operatives of the Special Operations Unit 11 of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) under the leadership of PBGEN Elmer E. Ragay, Director of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, in coordination with the Tagum City Police Station.
Arrested during the anti-illegal drug operation were a 41-year-old male, identified only by the alias “Long,” who was listed by authorities as a High-Value Individual (HVI), and a 25-year-old female, identified as “Camille,” who was categorized as a Street-Level Individual (SLI).
Authorities said the suspects were caught in the act of selling illegal drugs to an undercover police operative during the entrapment operation.
Recovered from the suspects were around 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱204,000, along with several non-drug pieces of evidence believed to be connected to the illegal drug transaction.
Following their arrest, the suspects were taken to the Tagum City Police Station for documentation and proper processing. Meanwhile, the confiscated suspected illegal drugs were turned over to the Davao del Norte Provincial Forensic Unit in Tagum City for laboratory examination and confirmation.
The two suspects are now facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale, possession, and distribution of illegal drugs.
PNP Drug Enforcement Group Director PBGEN Elmer E. Ragay reaffirmed the police organization’s commitment to intensifying its campaign against illegal drugs and ensuring that offenders are held accountable before the law.
“We will continue our mission of sustaining police operations against those involved in the manufacturing, importation, and trafficking of illegal drugs. And we will ensure that this matter is successfully prosecuted,” Ragay said.
The latest operation forms part of the PNP-DEG’s continuing anti-illegal drug campaign aimed at dismantling drug networks, apprehending drug personalities, and preventing the proliferation of dangerous drugs in communities across the country.