GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A 34-year-old tricycle driver was arrested after police operatives seized suspected shabu and a caliber .45 pistol during a buy-bust operation in Purok Wal, Barangay Tambler, General Santos City, on August 25, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 3:00 p.m. by personnel of the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (CPDEU), in coordination with the City Intelligence Unit (CIU) and Police Station 5 of the General Santos City Police Office.
The arrested suspect was identified as alias “Hangin,” 34, married, a tricycle driver, and a resident of Barangay Tambler.
Police said the operation was carried out after the suspect allegedly engaged in an illegal drug transaction with an undercover police officer.
During the entrapment operation, a police poseur-buyer allegedly purchased one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 0.2 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect using a genuine ₱1,000 marked buy-bust bill.
Following the suspect’s lawful arrest, police conducted a body search that resulted in the recovery of additional suspected illegal drugs.
Authorities recovered three large-sized and four small-sized heat-sealed sachets allegedly containing shabu, with an estimated combined weight of 16.2 grams. Police placed the estimated National Standard Drug Price value of the seized suspected shabu at ₱110,160.
The operation also led to the recovery of a caliber .45 pistol with an inserted magazine containing four live rounds of ammunition.
Other items reportedly seized during the operation included the marked ₱1,000 buy-bust money, ₱1,050 in cash, three identification cards, a blue disposable lighter, a digital weighing scale, a black smartphone, and a blue Mentos canister.
The seizure of the firearm added a separate legal dimension to the case as authorities prepare charges under the country’s firearms law.
Police said criminal complaints 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 against the suspect. Section 5 covers the illegal sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs, while Section 11 covers possession of dangerous drugs.
A separate complaint for an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, is also being prepared.
The cases are set to undergo inquest proceedings.
The suspect remains in police custody pending the filing and resolution of the appropriate complaints.
Authorities did not indicate in the initial report whether the seized firearm was licensed or whether the suspect had a valid permit to possess or carry it. The recovered items, including the suspected shabu and firearm, are expected to undergo standard documentation and examination as part of the investigation and case build-up.
The arrest underscores the continuing police campaign against illegal drugs in General Santos City, with law enforcement units combining intelligence gathering and undercover operations to target suspected drug personalities.
As in all drug and firearms cases, the allegations against the arrested suspect remain subject to the outcome of the investigation and judicial proceedings.