KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Norte — Authorities intensified their campaign against illegal drugs after a joint anti-narcotics operation led by the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) resulted in the arrest of two suspected drug personalities and the confiscation of approximately ₱816,000 worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Poblacion, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, on Thursday, August 6.
Arrested during the operation were a 50-year-old unemployed woman identified only by her alias “Rose”, the primary target of the operation, and her alleged cohort, “Wel,” a 51-year-old married man. Both are residents of Barangay Poblacion, Kapatagan.
The operation was spearheaded by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) Team 4 and conducted in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of Lanao del Norte, the 1005th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 (RMFB-10), the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) Lanao del Norte, the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of Lanao del Norte, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 10–Lanao del Norte, and the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station (MPS).
According to police reports, alias “Rose” had been placed under surveillance following intelligence information linking her to the illegal drug trade. Authorities alleged that she worked closely with alias “Wel” in distributing illegal drugs within the municipality.
Investigators disclosed that this was the first recorded arrest involving alias “Rose.” In contrast, alias “Wel” reportedly has a previous conviction for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, dating back to 2017.
Law enforcement authorities further revealed that the suspects allegedly catered primarily to vendors and drivers as their clientele. Drug transactions were reportedly carried out at the residence of alias “Rose,” which authorities believe served as a point of distribution for illegal drugs in the area.
During the operation, authorities recovered 22 heat-sealed plastic sachets containing approximately 120 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱816,000. Also recovered was a ₱500 marked bill used as buy-bust money during the operation.
The arrested suspects are currently under the custody of the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165.
Meanwhile, the confiscated suspected illegal drugs will be submitted to the Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) 10 in Lanao del Norte for qualitative and quantitative laboratory examination to establish the nature and weight of the seized substances as part of the evidentiary process.
Police Regional Office 10 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano commended the operating units for the successful conduct of the anti-drug operation, citing the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation in dismantling illegal drug networks.
“We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with PDEA and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that those involved in the illegal drug trade are brought to justice. Our message is clear: there is no place for illegal drugs in our communities,” Abrahano said.
The latest operation forms part of the Philippine National Police’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign aimed at disrupting local drug distribution networks, apprehending repeat offenders, and preventing the proliferation of illegal narcotics in communities across Northern Mindanao.
Authorities urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by reporting suspected drug-related activities, emphasizing that community cooperation remains a vital component in the government’s campaign to curb the illegal drug trade and promote safer communities.