INDANAN, Sulu — Authorities intensified their anti-illegal drug campaign in the province after operatives of the Philippine National Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) arrested two newly identified high-value individuals (NHVIs) and seized an estimated ₱3.4 million worth of suspected shabu in a joint operation on Tuesday afternoon, April 22.
The buy-bust operation was carried out at around 4:47 p.m. in Sitio Pamawlan, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, through the coordinated efforts of the Indanan Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Sulu, Sulu Maritime Police Station, and Regional Intelligence Unit 9.
Arrested during the operation were a 26-year-old man from Barangay Kabungkul, Talipao, and his 23-year-old companion from Barangay Tuyang, also in Talipao. Both suspects were classified by authorities as newly identified high-value individuals engaged in illegal drug activities in the province.
Seized from their possession were 10 large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, including the buy-bust item, with an estimated total weight of approximately 500 grams. The confiscated drugs carry a standard drug price of ₱3,400,000. Authorities also recovered a .45 caliber pistol with a magazine and five live rounds of ammunition.
Police said the actual weight and value of the seized illegal substances will be confirmed following laboratory examination by the Zamboanga City Forensic Unit 9.
All confiscated items were properly marked, documented, and inventoried at the scene in accordance with standard operating procedures. The suspects were subsequently taken into custody and brought to the Indanan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Charges are being prepared against the suspects for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as for illegal possession of firearms under existing laws. They are currently detained at the Indanan MPS pending the filing of cases before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
PRO 9 reiterated its call for public vigilance and cooperation, stressing that community involvement remains crucial in sustaining the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
The regional police office also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peace and order efforts across the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu, in line with its guiding principle: “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”