CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Two alleged high-value drug personalities were arrested after authorities seized approximately ₱1.12 million worth of suspected shabu during a coordinated anti-drug operation in Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, on Sunday evening, November 8.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) reported that the buy-bust operation was conducted at around 8:32 p.m. in NHA Phase 3, Barangay Kauswagan, resulting in the arrest of two 25-year-old male suspects identified only by their aliases, “Mike” and “Jul.”
Both suspects were classified by authorities as high-value individuals (HVIs) in the illegal drug trade.
Operatives recovered approximately 165.03 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱1,122,204. Other non-drug items were also confiscated during the operation.
The operation was led by the Special Operations Unit 10 of the PNP-DEG under the supervision of Police Colonel Roel L. Lami-ing, officer-in-charge of the agency.
The team was supported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 10, through its Regional Special Enforcement Team Alpha in Misamis Oriental, along with the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division, Police Regional Office 10, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, Regional Intelligence Unit 10, and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group–Mindanao Field Unit 10.
Also involved were the City Drug Enforcement Unit and Police Station 4 of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, reflecting a coordinated effort among law enforcement and intelligence units to target suspected drug distributors operating in the city.
Following their arrest, the two suspects were brought to the Maharlika Detention Facility for documentation and proper disposition.
Meanwhile, the confiscated suspected illegal drugs were turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit 10 for laboratory examination to establish their chemical composition and confirm the quantity of the seized substances.
PCOL Lami-ing said the continuing campaign against illegal drugs is intended not only to apprehend suspected offenders but also to protect families, prevent young people from becoming victims of drug-related activities, and promote safer communities.
Authorities have yet to disclose further details about the suspects’ alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade or whether additional charges will be filed beyond the appropriate drug-related offenses.
The operation underscores the continuing enforcement efforts of government agencies against illegal drug activities in Northern Mindanao.