ILIGAN CITY — Police authorities arrested a 44-year-old woman and seized approximately ₱374,000 worth of suspected shabu during the implementation of a search warrant in Barangay Saray, Iligan City, on August 12, 2026.
The operation was carried out at around 4:15 p.m. in Purok 6, Barangay Saray, by personnel of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10 (RPDEU 10), Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (RIU 10), 1005th Maneuver Company of the Regional Force Battalion 10 (RFB 10), Iligan City Mobile Force Company (ICMFC), and Iligan City Police Station 5.
Police identified the arrested suspect only as alias “Aiv,” 44, who was described as living with a partner, unemployed, and a resident of the area where the search was conducted.
The operation was conducted pursuant to Search Warrant No. 26-0316, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 4, 12th Judicial Region, Iligan City, on August 5, 2026. The warrant was issued in connection with an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
During the search, authorities confiscated nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The seized substance had an estimated combined weight of 55 grams and an estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱374,000.
According to the initial police investigation, the suspect was allegedly a second-time offender in a drug-related case and had previously been released from detention in 2024.
Authorities further alleged that the suspect had no regular source of income and was allegedly engaged in the distribution of illegal drugs as her primary means of livelihood. Police said she reportedly distributed the illegal substance within her barangay and nearby communities.
The allegations remain subject to the filing and evaluation of the appropriate criminal case.
Following her arrest, the suspect was placed under the custody of Iligan City Police Station 5 for documentation and proper disposition.
Police said a case for alleged violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, which covers the illegal possession of dangerous drugs, is being prepared for filing against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the confiscated items were turned over to the Iligan City Forensic Unit for qualitative and quantitative laboratory examination. The examination is expected to establish the identity and actual weight of the seized substance.
The successful implementation of the search warrant was commended by PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10).
Abrahano praised the participating police units for the operation and reaffirmed the regional police office’s commitment to strengthening its campaign against illegal drugs.
The arrest comes as law enforcement agencies in Northern Mindanao continue to intensify operations against the illegal drug trade, particularly through intelligence-driven investigations, the implementation of court-issued search warrants, and coordinated enforcement operations.
Authorities emphasized that the seized substance remains suspected shabu pending laboratory confirmation, while the arrested suspect will undergo the appropriate legal proceedings in accordance with law.