COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Authorities dealt another significant blow to the illegal drug trade in the Bangsamoro region after operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) BARMM arrested two suspected drug personalities and seized approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated ₱3.4 million during a buy-bust operation in Cotabato City.
The operation, conducted on August 3, 2026, was spearheaded by the Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET) of PDEA BARMM at Barangay Poblacion 6, Cotabato City.
Arrested during the anti-drug operation were suspects identified only by their aliases “Lalang,” 27, a driver, and “Tamtax,” 26, a construction worker. Authorities identified the two as notorious drug personalities allegedly engaged in the distribution of illegal drugs not only within Cotabato City but also in nearby municipalities in North Cotabato.
During the operation, law enforcement operatives confiscated one knot-tied transparent plastic bag containing approximately 500 grams of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱3,400,000.
In addition to the suspected illegal drugs, authorities also recovered a beige backpack, two cellular phones, one green multicab vehicle, assorted vehicle registration documents, and the marked buy-bust money used during the operation.
The successful anti-illegal drug operation was the result of a coordinated effort among multiple law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) BARMM, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) BARMM, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Cotabato City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), and the City Intelligence Unit (CIU).
Authorities said the operation underscores the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and highlights the strong inter-agency collaboration aimed at dismantling drug networks operating in the Bangsamoro region.
The arrested suspects are now under the custody of authorities and will face charges for Violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The confiscation of the large volume of suspected shabu is expected to prevent millions of pesos worth of illegal drugs from reaching communities in Cotabato City and neighboring areas, dealing a substantial setback to local drug trafficking operations as authorities continue their relentless crackdown on the illegal drug trade.