CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities arrested three suspected drug personalities, including a High-Value Individual (HVI), during a joint buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of more than ₱7.7 million worth of suspected shabu on Wednesday night, May 6, in Barangay Lapasan Highway, this city.
The operation was conducted at around 9:30 p.m. by operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, in coordination with the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 10 (PDEA-10).
Police identified the arrested suspects as John Michael, 21, tagged as a High-Value Individual; Jhon Rey, 27; and Gualberto, 43. The three were immediately taken into police custody following the operation.
Authorities said the operation was carried out under Pre-Operations Number 11-00-05062026-042 under the supervision of PMAJ Aldren E. Baculio and leadership of PCOL Dexter G. Paje, with coordination from PDEA-10.
Confiscated from the suspects were around 1,140 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of ₱7,752,000, making it one of the largest illegal drug hauls recorded in the city in recent months.
Also recovered during the operation were buy-bust money, counterfeit or bogus bills, mobile phones, a sling bag, a paper bag, and a Toyota Vios taxi believed to have been used in the illegal transaction.
Authorities described the successful operation as a significant blow against illegal drug operations in Northern Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City, where intensified anti-drug campaigns continue to be implemented.
The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office said it remains committed to strengthening law enforcement operations and inter-agency coordination to maintain a safe and drug-free community.
The arrested suspects are currently detained at the custody facility of the CDEU-COCPO and are set to face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.