BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte — Police and anti-drug authorities seized approximately 18.5 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of ₱125,800 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 4, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, on September 10, 2026.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Buenavista Municipal Police Station (MPS), through its Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 13 (PDEA-13).
According to Police Colonel Ruel M. Cagape, provincial director of the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO), the operation resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old man identified only by police as alias “Cel.” Authorities described him as single, jobless and a street-level individual (SLI). He is reportedly a resident of Barangay 3, Buenavista.
Police said the suspected illegal drugs were recovered from the suspect during the operation. The seized substance, locally known as shabu, weighed approximately 18.5 grams and was placed at a standard drug price value of ₱125,800, based on the valuation cited by authorities.
The operation was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Justice, the media and barangay officials, in accordance with procedures governing the documentation and handling of seized drug evidence.
Authorities said the arrested individual was informed of his constitutional rights in a language or dialect known to him. He was subsequently brought into the custody of the Buenavista MPS, where he is facing a complaint for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Cagape said the operation was part of the province’s continuing campaign against illegal drugs, emphasizing the role of intelligence gathering and community information in identifying and targeting suspected drug activities.
“AgNorte police force together with other anti-drug agencies have pledged to continue the fight against illegal drugs with more intensified efforts and intelligence-driven operations to prevent the spreading of huge quantity of shabu to the public,” Cagape said.
He also urged residents to continue reporting information concerning suspected illegal drug activities to authorities.
“Information and intelligence from our communities were the key to these successful operations and rest assured that if you raise your concerns, we will take appropriate action,” he added.
The latest operation underscores the continuing anti-drug campaign of law enforcement agencies in Agusan del Norte, with police and PDEA personnel relying on coordinated operations and community-generated intelligence to disrupt the distribution of suspected illegal drugs.
The suspect remains in police custody pending the filing and appropriate disposition of the case. The allegations against him remain subject to the determination of the courts.