WAO, Lanao del Sur — Joint anti-drug operatives arrested a suspected drug personality and confiscated more than ₱1 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Purok 2, Barangay Eastern, Wao, Lanao del Sur on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Authorities identified the suspect only by his alias “Pagari,” a resident of Barangay Eastern, Wao. He was apprehended after law enforcement agents carried out a coordinated anti-illegal drug operation targeting his alleged illegal drug activities.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Special Operations Unit 15 (SOU 15), Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PNP DEG SOU BAR), 3rd Platoon of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (1st PMFC LDSPPO), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit/Provincial Special Operations Group of LDSPPO, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–BAR (PDEA BAR), and the Philippine National Police-led Wao Municipal Police Station.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession were approximately 150 grams of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) value of ₱1,020,000. Authorities also recovered the marked buy-bust money used during the operation.
Following the arrest, the suspect and the confiscated evidence were brought to the Wao Municipal Police Station for proper documentation, booking procedures, and temporary custody.
Authorities said the seized illegal drugs were later turned over to PNP DEG SOU 15 for proper disposition and will be submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit in Cotabato City for laboratory examination to confirm the nature of the confiscated substances.
Caezar P. Cabuhat, Provincial Director of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, commended the operating units for the successful operation and their sustained campaign against illegal drugs in the province.
Cabuhat emphasized that intensified anti-drug operations remain a priority to maintain peace and order and to protect communities from the harmful effects of illegal narcotics.
Authorities have yet to announce the formal charges to be filed against the suspect, but violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against him.