KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Authorities arrested a high-value drug suspect and seized more than half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu during a late-night anti-drug operation in Barangay Morales on March 3.
The suspect, identified only by his alias “Monshy,” 40, a married farmer and resident of Barangay Kilalan in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte, was apprehended in a buy-bust operation conducted at around 11:57 p.m. in Purok Althea Homes, Barangay Morales.
The operation was led by the Koronadal City Police Station–City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (CPDEU) under the leadership of Police Captain Keno Biadoma, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 12 and other police units in the province.
According to police reports, the suspect was caught in the act of selling illegal drugs to an undercover operative during the buy-bust transaction. Authorities were able to purchase one sachet of suspected shabu weighing about 0.03 grams with an estimated street value of P500.
A subsequent search of the suspect’s possession led to the recovery of another sachet containing approximately 75 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P510,000. The P500 marked money used in the buy-bust operation was also recovered.
Police described the suspect as a High Value Individual (HVI) in the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, indicating a significant role in the distribution of prohibited substances in the area.
The seized illegal drugs were immediately secured for proper documentation and laboratory examination, while the suspect was brought to the detention facility of the Koronadal City Police Station.
Authorities are preparing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale, possession, and distribution of illegal drugs.
Police officials reiterated their commitment to intensify anti-drug operations across the province and urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting illegal drug activities in their communities.