JOLO, Sulu — Police arrested a 40-year-old man and seized nearly ₱350,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Jolo, Sulu, on Monday afternoon, September 7, 2026, authorities said.
The operation was conducted at about 2:55 p.m. in the vicinity of Sitio Lagundi Drive, Barangay Tulay, Jolo, by personnel of the Jolo Municipal Police Station (Jolo MPS) led by Police Lieutenant Benhar Asaddi, deputy chief of police, under the supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Kris Conrad Gutierrez, officer-in-charge.
The operation was carried out in coordination with Reaslie Calibo of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 9-Sulu and with assistance from the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Sulu Police Provincial Office.
Police identified the arrested suspect only as alias “Al,” 40, married and a resident of Zone 3, Barangay Tulay, Jolo.
Authorities said the operation resulted in the confiscation of multiple sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
Among the items seized was a medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu, which police placed at an estimated value of ₱340,000.
Another heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 1.9 grams of suspected shabu, allegedly purchased during the operation, was also recovered. Authorities valued the latter at approximately ₱6,800.
Police also recovered the ₱1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, along with ₱500 in cash and other pieces of evidence believed to be relevant to the investigation.
Based on the quantities and values provided by authorities, the seized suspected illegal drugs had a combined estimated street value of approximately ₱346,800, or nearly ₱350,000.
The arrest forms part of the continuing anti-illegal-drug operations being conducted by police and drug enforcement authorities in Sulu.
Following the operation, the suspect was placed under the custody of the Jolo Municipal Police Station, where he remains detained while authorities prepare the appropriate criminal complaint.
Police said the suspect is expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The seized substances are subject to the required examination and disposition procedures. The filing of charges and subsequent court proceedings will determine the suspect’s legal liability.
Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the operation, including how the suspect allegedly came into possession of the larger quantity of suspected shabu.
The arrest underscores the continued enforcement of the country’s anti-drug law in Sulu, where police and anti-narcotics authorities have maintained coordinated operations targeting individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade.
As with all drug-related arrests, the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.