ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat — Three suspected drug personalities, including two identified by police as high-value individuals (HVIs), are now detained at the Esperanza Municipal Police Station lock-up cell following a buy-bust operation that led to the confiscation of more than P700,000 worth of suspected shabu and a vehicle early Monday morning, June 1, 2026.
According to the Esperanza Municipal Police Station (MPS), the anti-drug operation was conducted at around 5:30 a.m. in Purok Bagong Silang, Barangay Saliao, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
The operation was carried out by the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MDEU) of Esperanza MPS in coordination with the 1202nd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB12) and the 2nd Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (SKPMFC).
Authorities identified the arrested suspects through their aliases as “Ray,” 41, single, a driver and resident of Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City; “Jing,” 32, single, also a driver and resident of Katangawan, General Santos City; and “Nor,” 27, jobless and a resident of Barangay Maranding, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao del Sur.
In a separate police report, the suspects were also referred to by the aliases “Jan Jan,” “Bonbon,” and “Norton.”
Police said that two of the suspects from Koronadal City were classified as high-value individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
Recovered from the suspects were four sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 103 grams with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P700,400.
Also seized during the operation were one genuine P1,000 buy-bust money, four pieces of boodle money amounting to P1,000 each, an Android cellphone, a black sling bag, identification cards, and a metallic gray Mitsubishi Mirage with plate number 5118.
The confiscated pieces of evidence were immediately brought to the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office (SKPPO) Crime Laboratory for qualitative and quantitative examination.
Authorities are now preparing charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, against the arrested suspects. The complaints will be forwarded to the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.
PCPT Jeffrey T. Lazaro, Officer-in-Charge of Esperanza MPS, reiterated the police force’s commitment to intensifying anti-illegal drug operations in the municipality.
“Esperanza MPS together with the support of Mobile Forces are committed in protecting our communities by ramping up anti-drug efforts and enhancing preventive programs to shield our youth and families from the dangers of illegal drugs,” Lazaro said.
He also emphasized the police force’s continued support for the government’s campaign for peace, unity, and public safety.
“We are intensifying our operations in consonance with the CPNP’s agenda. Further, we encourage the public to respect the law and refrain from engaging in all forms of illegal activities,” he added.