SAGUIARAN, Lanao del Sur — Authorities seized P3.4 million worth of shabu and arrested a suspected drug dealer during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) and local police in Barangay Poblacion on Tuesday, September 9.
In its latest report, PDEA said the target was identified as a high-value target (HVT) known as Alyas Arman/Saidali, 32 years old, who was caught in possession of approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug value of ₱3.4 million.
The operation was spearheaded by the PDEA Lanao del Sur Provincial Office, with support from the PDEA Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), PDEA Land Transportation and Interdiction Unit (LTIU), the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the Saguiaran Municipal Police Station, and in coordination with the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) of Saguiaran.
Recovered from the suspect were five knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing the illegal drugs, a mobile phone, a leather wallet, an identification card, a black belt bag, buy-bust money, and a dark gray Toyota vehicle.
According to PDEA-BARMM Director Gil Cesario P. Castro, the suspect peacefully surrendered after realizing that he had transacted with undercover agents. He is now detained at the PDEA Regional Jail Facility while awaiting inquest proceedings for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The offense is punishable by life imprisonment.
Authorities assured that intensified anti-drug operations will continue in Lanao del Sur and other parts of BARMM, stressing the importance of strong cooperation with local government units in curbing the spread of illegal drugs.