TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — Authorities arrested a suspected drug peddler in a successful buy-bust operation conducted by the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station (KMPS) in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the evening of June 7, 2025.
The anti-drug operation, carried out under Pre-Ops No. 30002-062025-0145, took place around 9:00 PM in Purok 3, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. The suspect, identified only by the alias “Arnold,” a 46-year-old married male resident of the barangay, was arrested after selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth Php500.00 to an undercover police officer.
A follow-up body search led to the recovery of the following items in the suspect’s possession:
- Four medium-sized heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu (estimated 0.4 grams, street value: Php2,720.00)
- Two pieces of folded aluminum foil
- One marked Php500.00 bill (Serial No. AL3135219)
- One orange Tic Tac container
- One black sling bag marked “JRP”
- One brown coin purse
- One black REDMI smartphone
The total estimated weight of the suspected shabu confiscated during the operation was 0.5 grams, with a total street value of Php3,400.00.
The operation was conducted in an orderly manner in the presence of the suspect, two elected officials from Barangay Sto. Tomas, and a media representative.
Police are now preparing charges for violation of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) under Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the Kapatagan MPS for documentation and further legal action. The confiscated items have been turned over to the Lanao del Norte Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory analysis.
PCOL Roy A. Magsalay, Provincial Director of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office, commended the operating team for their professionalism and diligence in the fight against illegal drugs.