Indanan, Sulu – July 4, 2025 — Six alleged drug personalities were arrested and an alleged drug den was dismantled during a joint buy-bust operation led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Sulu Provincial Office in Barangay Bato-Bato, Indanan, Sulu at around 2:30 PM on Friday.
The operation was spearheaded by PDEA-Sulu team leader Reaslie Calibo, in coordination with multiple law enforcement and intelligence units. The arrested individuals were identified as:
- Detti Junaid Abidin, alias Key, 19, a student from Tulay, Jolo;
- Jan Jan Navarro Sabturani, alias Jan, 39, a tricycle driver from Tandu Bagua, Patikul;
- Darwin Jabari Nunjari, 42, a tricycle driver from Takut-Takut, Jolo;
- Bennadil Joe Kayanan, alias Ben, 52, a farmer from Bato-Bato, Indanan;
- Nurhaym Jamih Sakirin, alias Al, 32, a farmer from Kajatian, Indanan; and
- Alinja Itilis, alias Linja, 35, a laborer from Takut-Takut, Jolo.
Seized from the suspects were ten heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with a total estimated weight of 20 grams. The drugs have an estimated street value of ₱20,000 and a national value of ₱136,000. Authorities also confiscated a black Samsung analog cellphone, ₱1,000 marked buy-bust money, various drug paraphernalia, and other pieces of evidence.
The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The successful operation was made possible through the collaboration of PDEA-Sulu with the Philippine National Police (PNP) 54th Special Action Company, 5th Special Action Battalion of the Special Action Force, PNP Sulu Provincial Intelligence Unit, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Indanan Municipal Police Station, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), 100th Infantry Battalion, and the 1404th-B Regional Mobile Force Company 14-B.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to sustain intensified anti-drug efforts across Sulu province.