BUKIDNON, Philippines — Seven individuals were arrested and more than 32 grams of suspected shabu were seized in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted by police units in the municipalities of Maramag and Quezon, Bukidnon, authorities reported.
The two operations resulted in the confiscation of a combined 32.049 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱217,933.20.
Four arrested in Maramag operation
In Maramag, personnel of the Maramag Municipal Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), together with the Bukidnon 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd PMFC) and the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), conducted a joint drug buy-bust operation at Purok 8A, Barangay North Poblacion.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four male individuals, all of legal age, who were identified by police as street-level individuals.
Police said the operation led to the recovery of a total of 14.149 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱96,213.20.
The confiscated drug items were brought to the Bukidnon Provincial Forensic Unit for qualitative and quantitative examination.
Authorities said cases for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing in court.
The four arrested individuals remain under the custody of the Maramag Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Following the operation, PCOL Navales commended the police units involved, particularly the Maramag Municipal Police Station, for the successful conduct of the anti-illegal drug operation.
Navales praised the operating personnel for their professionalism, dedication and continued commitment to enforcing the law and combating illegal drugs, urging them to sustain their efforts.
Three more arrested in Quezon
Meanwhile, another joint drug operation in Balangay 1B Poblacion, Quezon, Bukidnon, resulted in the arrest of three more individuals.
Personnel of the Quezon Municipal Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit carried out the buy-bust operation, leading to the arrest of three male individuals aged 23, 20 and 19.
Police identified the three as newly identified drug personalities.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 17.9 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱121,720.
As in the Maramag operation, the seized drug items were turned over to the Bukidnon Provincial Forensic Unit for qualitative and quantitative examination.
Authorities are also preparing cases against the three suspects for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of R.A. 9165, for filing before the appropriate court.
The suspects are currently under the custody of the Quezon Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Police sustain anti-drug operations
The two operations underscore the continuing anti-illegal drug campaign being carried out by police units across Bukidnon, with municipal police stations working alongside provincial mobile force and intelligence personnel to identify and apprehend individuals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Combined, the operations removed more than 32 grams of suspected shabu from circulation and resulted in the arrest of seven individuals.
The seized substances, however, remain subject to laboratory examination to determine their actual composition and drug content.
The suspects will also undergo the appropriate legal proceedings, and the allegations against them will have to be established in court. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.