POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato – Authorities arrested three alleged high-value drug personalities in a joint anti-drug operation in Barangay Cannery Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato, on the afternoon of August 8, 2025.
The suspects were identified as Hameren Batua Masulen, alias “Merin,” 31, a motorcycle mechanic from Purok Saludin, Barangay Labangal, General Santos City; Allan Asab Tahir, alias “Allan,” 46, a tricycle driver from Barangay Bula, General Santos City; and Manguntauar Tele, alias “Manguntauar,” 41, also a tricycle driver from Purok Saludin, Barangay Labangal, General Santos City.
According to PMaj. Dave B. Abarra, chief of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12 (RPDEU-12), the operation was conducted in coordination with the RID12 Team Bravo, PDEG SOU12, South Cotabato Provincial Intelligence Unit (SCPIU), and the Polomolok Municipal Police Station. The suspects were allegedly caught selling a medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing around 5 grams to a police poseur buyer along the National Highway.
Confiscated from Masulen were:
- One large sachet containing suspected shabu weighing about 50 grams
- One medium sachet weighing about 10 grams
- One medium sachet weighing about 5 grams
- A homemade Uzi sub-machine gun with no serial number, loaded with a magazine containing three rounds of 9mm hollow-point ammunition
From Tahir, police seized one medium sachet weighing about 5 grams, while another medium sachet with the same weight was recovered from Tele.
Authorities also impounded a red Bajaj motorcycle with a blue sidecar, bearing plate number 1201-562181, owned by Tele.
In total, police recovered around 80 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱544,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board’s standard price.
The suspects are now detained at the Polomolok Municipal Police Station and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.