ILIGAN CITY, Philippines — Authorities arrested a 33-year-old man and seized approximately 400 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard value of ₱2.72 million during a buy-bust operation in Iligan City on Friday, October 9, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported.
The anti-drug operation was conducted at approximately 12:25 p.m. in Tambo, Barangay Hinaplanon, through the coordinated efforts of personnel from the PDEA Regional Office 10, including the Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, the Special Intelligence Unit Lanao Alpha, and an operating team from Misamis Occidental, according to an initial report.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect as alias Sultan, 33, a married unemployed man and resident of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. His identity was withheld in the initial report, which used an alias.
Three Sachets of Suspected Shabu Recovered
During the operation, authorities recovered three plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, or methamphetamine hydrochloride.
The seized suspected illegal drugs consisted of one large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet and two smaller transparent sachets secured with knots. The combined weight was estimated at 400 grams.
Authorities placed the standard value of the seized substance at ₱2.72 million, while its reported street value was estimated at ₱800,000.
Aside from the suspected illegal drugs, operatives also recovered a black mini bag, a smartphone, a paper bag, and a genuine ₱1,000 bill bearing serial number XR476795.
The bill was reportedly used as the marked buy-bust money and placed on top of boodle money, a bundle of imitation currency commonly used during controlled anti-drug transactions to make the money appear more substantial.
The recovered items are expected to form part of the evidence in the investigation and the case to be filed against the suspect.
Suspect Faces Possible Drug-Sale Charges
Authorities said the suspect may face charges for violating Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The provision penalizes the unauthorized sale, trading, administration, dispensing, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs, subject to the specific circumstances and evidence established in the case.
The suspect remained in police or agency custody as the seized substance underwent examination and authorities prepared the necessary documents for the filing of charges in court.
The seizure adds to the continuing anti-illegal drug operations being carried out by law enforcement agencies in Northern Mindanao. However, the allegations against the arrested man remain subject to the legal process, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
Authorities have yet to provide further details regarding the intended recipients of the suspected shabu or whether the operation was connected to a larger drug distribution network.