JOLO, Sulu – Two individuals suspected of peddling illegal drugs were arrested on Wednesday, May 21, during a buy-bust operation conducted by law enforcement authorities in Sitio 477, Barangay Asturias.
The operation was jointly carried out by personnel from the Jolo Municipal Police Station and the 1404th Regional Mobile Force Company (RMFB-14B), as part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
According to police reports, both suspects are residents of the area and were found in possession of multiple sachets of suspected shabu, along with various drug paraphernalia. Among the items recovered were:
- Seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 10 grams with an estimated value of Php 68,000.00 based on Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) standards;
- One sachet used as the buy-bust item, weighing around 0.2 gram and valued at Php 1,360.00;
- Drug paraphernalia including improvised needles, aluminum foil, scissors, lighters, and tissue paper;
- Php 200.00 in marked buy-bust money and Php 1,340.00 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal drug transactions.
Police said the suspects were informed of their constitutional rights in a language they fully understood. The standard protocol for evidence handling—including on-site inventory and proper marking—was strictly followed, with barangay officials, a Department of Justice (DOJ) representative, media personnel, and members of the operating team present as witnesses.
All confiscated items and the arrested suspects were taken to the Jolo Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of charges under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PBGEN Romeo J. Macapaz, Regional Director of Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), commended the operating teams for their swift action and urged the public to continue supporting the government’s anti-drug efforts.
“We call on the community to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities,” Macapaz said. “Community cooperation is essential in our sustained efforts to combat illegal drugs in the region.”