COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A 22-year-old man was arrested and approximately 250 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated ₱1.7 million were seized during a joint buy-bust operation in Poblacion 5, Cotabato City, on September 29, 2026.
The operation was carried out by several drug law enforcement and intelligence units as part of continuing efforts to disrupt the distribution of illegal drugs in Cotabato City and surrounding areas.
The operation was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Office (PDEA-Maguindanao del Norte PO), with the participation and operational support of the Cotabato City Police Office–Police Station 1 (CCPO-PS1), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 17 (NICA 17), PNP Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit BAR (PDEG-SOU BAR), and the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit–Cotabato City Police Office (CPDEU-CCPO).
Other supporting units of PDEA BARMM also took part in the operation.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect only as alias “Ivan/Jehad,” 22, married, a farmer, and a resident of Barangay Kuden in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte.
During the operation, authorities recovered five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 250 grams. Law enforcement authorities placed the estimated value of the seized substance at ₱1,700,000.
Aside from the suspected illegal drugs, the operating team also recovered a mobile phone, buy-bust money, a black belt bag, a white plastic bag, and a brown paper bag believed to be connected with the operation.
The suspect was subsequently placed under the custody of the PDEA BARMM Jail Facility for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate legal proceedings.
Authorities said the suspect is set to face a complaint for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale of dangerous drugs.
The confiscated substance will be subjected to the required examination and documentation procedures as part of the case build-up and evidence processing.
The arrest adds to continuing anti-drug operations being conducted by law enforcement agencies across the Bangsamoro region, particularly against individuals allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
As the case proceeds, the suspect remains entitled to due process, and the allegations against him will be resolved through the appropriate legal proceedings.