CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Police arrested a suspected high-value individual (HVI) in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, on August 31, after authorities allegedly recovered around 110 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of ₱748,000.
The operation was conducted at approximately 5:42 p.m. by personnel of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), with support from the City Mobile Force Company and in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 10 (PDEA-10).
Authorities identified the arrested suspect only by the alias “Orok,” 34, who was allegedly apprehended after selling suspected shabu to undercover operatives during the operation.
Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of 11 heat-sealed sachets allegedly containing a substance believed to be shabu. The combined weight of the confiscated substance was estimated at 110 grams, according to the authorities.
Based on the reported standard drug price, the seized substance was valued at approximately ₱748,000.
Aside from the suspected illegal drugs, operatives also recovered the ₱500 buy-bust money, a black pouch, and an Android mobile phone, which were reportedly taken into police custody as part of the evidence gathered during the operation.
The arrested suspect is currently under the custody of the CDEU-COCPO for documentation and appropriate legal disposition.
Authorities are expected to process the seized items and evidence in accordance with established procedures, while the appropriate charges will be determined based on the results of the investigation and applicable provisions of the law.
Police officials emphasized that the operation forms part of continuing intelligence-driven efforts to disrupt the illegal drug trade in Cagayan de Oro City and other parts of Northern Mindanao.
Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10) Regional Director PBGen Nestor C. Babagay Jr. underscored the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities in strengthening the campaign against illegal drugs.
Babagay stressed that sustained cooperation between authorities and the public can help make anti-drug operations more effective while contributing to the protection of communities, particularly young people who remain vulnerable to the effects of illegal drug activities.
PRO10 said it will continue to intensify intelligence-driven law enforcement operations aimed at identifying and dismantling drug networks, intercepting the movement of illegal drugs, and holding individuals involved in the illicit trade accountable under the law.
The arrest and seizure in Barangay Gusa highlight the continuing law enforcement focus on suspected drug trafficking activities in the region. However, the allegations against the arrested suspect remain subject to the appropriate legal proceedings, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.