CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY / ILIGAN CITY — Joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 10 (PDEA-10) and local police arrested six individuals in two separate anti-illegal drug operations in Northern Mindanao, resulting in the seizure of approximately ₱95,200 worth of suspected shabu.
The operations, conducted in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City on August 19 and 21, respectively, targeted suspected street-level drug activities and an alleged drug den operating in a residential area.
In Cagayan de Oro City, PDEA-10’s Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, in coordination with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO)–Criminal Investigation and Detection Branch and Police Station 2, conducted a buy-bust operation at around 6:30 p.m. on August 19 at Zone 6, Bitan-ag Creek, Barangay 35.
The operation led to the arrest of a 22-year-old male identified by PDEA Regional Director Alex M. Tablate as alias “Kim,” a resident of Barangay 35.
Authorities seized six heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, with an estimated combined weight of eight grams and a standard value of ₱54,400.
Also recovered were a cigarette box, a cellphone, a disposable lighter fitted with an improvised needle, three aluminum foil tooters containing traces of suspected shabu, one heat-sealed sachet with traces of the substance, an empty plastic sachet, a white box, and the buy-bust money.
PDEA said alias “Kim” will face charges for alleged violations of Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Two days later, on August 21, another joint operation resulted in the dismantling of an alleged drug den in Barangay Saray, Iligan City.
The operation was carried out at around 5:50 p.m. at Purok 4 by personnel from the PDEA-10 Lanao del Norte Provincial Office and the PDEA-10 Special Intelligence Unit–Lanao del Norte Team Alpha, in coordination with Iligan City Police Office Police Station 5.
Five individuals were arrested and identified by Tablate as alias “Inday,” 47, single, female, who was identified as the alleged drug den maintainer; alias “Dodo,” 48, single, male, also identified as a drug den maintainer; alias “Icel,” 52, married, female, identified as a drug den employee; and aliases “JJ,” 37, married, male, and “Dedel,” 41, married, male, both identified as alleged visitors of the drug den.
All five suspects were reported to be residents of Purok 4, Barangay Saray, Iligan City.
Operatives recovered seven heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu. The seized substance weighed approximately six grams and had an estimated standard market value of ₱40,800.
Assorted drug paraphernalia and buy-bust money were also recovered during the operation.
The five suspects are set to face charges for alleged violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15 of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165.
Combined, the two operations resulted in the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of approximately 14 grams of suspected shabu with a reported standard value of ₱95,200.
PDEA-10 Regional Director Tablate commended the operating teams for the successful operations and underscored the agency’s continuing efforts to intensify anti-illegal drug operations across Northern Mindanao.
PDEA-10 and the Philippine National Police also reiterated their call for public cooperation in combating illegal drug activities, urging residents to report suspected drug trafficking, drug dens, and other suspicious activities to the nearest PDEA office, police station, or local authorities.
The arrested individuals are expected to undergo appropriate legal proceedings for the charges filed against them.