MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur — Two alleged high-value drug personalities were arrested while more than ₱101,000 worth of suspected shabu was confiscated during a successful anti-illegal drug operation conducted by joint police and military forces in Barangay Basak Malutlut, Marawi City, late Thursday evening, June 18.
Authorities identified the arrested suspects only by their aliases, “Yasser” and “Ibrahim,” both classified as High-Value Individuals (HVIs) in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the City Drug Enforcement Unit and Alert Team Bravo of the Marawi City Police Station in coordination with the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Company of the 4th Mechanized Battalion, Philippine Army. The buy-bust operation was conducted under Pre-Operation No. 15-00-06182026-006.
According to police reports, the transaction took place inside a residence in Barangay Basak Malutlut, where an undercover operative successfully purchased suspected shabu from the suspects. After the sale was consummated and the agreed signal was given, back-up operatives immediately moved in and arrested the two individuals.
Seized during the operation were three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately 13.4 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱91,120. Authorities said these sachets were believed to be the subject of the illegal drug transaction.
Operatives also recovered five additional sachets containing around 1.5 grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱10,200, bringing the total estimated value of the confiscated illegal drugs to more than ₱101,000.
Also recovered from the suspects were the buy-bust money consisting of one genuine ₱500 bill and 25 pieces of photocopied ₱1,000 bills used during the operation.
Police said the suspects were immediately informed of their constitutional rights in a language they understood following their arrest.
In compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, an inventory and documentation of the seized evidence were conducted at the scene in the presence of the suspects, representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), and an elected barangay official.
The arrested suspects and all confiscated evidence were subsequently brought to the Marawi City Police Station for proper documentation and the filing of appropriate criminal charges.
Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Director Christopher M. Abecia lauded the operating units for the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Abecia said the operation demonstrated not only the commitment of law enforcement agencies but also the crucial role played by community members in providing information that helps authorities identify and apprehend individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
He stressed that active public participation, intelligence-driven operations, and strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies remain key factors in sustaining anti-drug efforts across the Bangsamoro region.
The police official also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue working closely with authorities to help achieve a safer, more orderly, and drug-free Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
The latest operation forms part of the continuing anti-illegal drug campaign of the Philippine National Police and its partner agencies aimed at dismantling local drug networks and preventing the proliferation of illegal substances in communities across the region.