DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Police operatives arrested a suspected high-value individual and seized approximately 47.1 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated ₱320,280 during a joint anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Cabantian, Davao City, in the early hours of Monday, August 24, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 1:52 a.m. along Tugas Street, Suraya Homes, Barangay Cabantian, by personnel of Police Station 5 (Buhangin), led by Police Major Clarian Dave S. Toboso, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region XI.
Authorities said the operation was carried out as a joint buy-bust operation, targeting the suspect identified by law enforcement as a high-value individual in the illegal drug trade.
Aside from the suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, operatives also recovered one .38-caliber revolver during the operation.
The seizure represents another significant drug interdiction in Davao City as law enforcement agencies continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations against individuals allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs.
The suspected shabu was estimated to have a street value of ₱320,280, based on the valuation provided by authorities. The recovery of the firearm also adds a security dimension to the operation, although authorities have yet to release details regarding the weapon’s ownership, registration status, or whether it was allegedly used in any previous criminal activity.
The arrested suspect was brought under police custody for appropriate investigation and the filing of charges in accordance with law. The confiscated drug evidence will likewise undergo the required examination and documentation procedures.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) City Director Police Colonel Peter Bauzon Madria commended the personnel involved in the operation, recognizing their efforts in pursuing intelligence-led enforcement actions against illegal drugs and other threats to public safety.
Madria reaffirmed the DCPO’s commitment to sustaining operations aimed at preventing illegal drugs from reaching communities across the city.
The police director said the latest operation underscores the importance of coordination among law enforcement agencies, particularly in gathering and acting on intelligence that can lead to the identification and arrest of suspected drug personalities.
Authorities continue to encourage the public to report information that may help law enforcement agencies detect illegal drug activities and other criminal operations, while reminding communities that such information should be coursed through proper authorities and verified before action is taken.
The case remains under investigation, and the arrested individual is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.