DAVAO CITY — Anti-drug operations of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) continue without pause as authorities arrested a regional-level top priority illegal drug personality during a joint buy-bust operation Wednesday afternoon, February 25, 2026, in Ecoland Phase 2.
Operatives from the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) carried out the operation at around 4:22 p.m. along Parakeet Street, Barangay 76-A, which resulted in the arrest of a suspect identified only by the alias “Melvin,” also referred to in police reports as “Bin,” a 45-year-old resident of Purok 6, Lanao, Kidapawan City.
Authorities said the suspect had been listed as a Regional Level Top Priority Illegal Drug Personality, making him a key target in the intensified anti-drug campaign in Davao City.
During the operation, police recovered two sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of ₱102,000. Also confiscated from the suspect’s possession were a Smith & Wesson caliber .38 revolver, three live rounds of ammunition, a PNP License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) ID, and ₱1,000 in cash, believed to be part of the buy-bust transaction and personal money.
Following his arrest, the suspect was brought to the Ecoland Police Station where he is currently under custody while authorities prepare the formal charges against him.
Police confirmed that the suspect will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
According to DCPO spokesperson Hazel Caballero, the arrest highlights the continued efforts of the police to sustain anti-illegal drug operations despite heavy deployments related to major activities in the city.
Caballero emphasized that dedicated personnel remain focused on tracking and apprehending high-value drug personalities to curb the spread of illegal drugs in the region.
The DCPO reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against illegal drugs and criminal elements, warning that individuals involved in the illegal drug trade will continue to face relentless law enforcement action across Davao City.