ILIGAN CITY — Police operatives arrested a 37-year-old man identified as a high-value individual (HVI) and seized approximately 64.27 grams of suspected shabu valued at P437,036 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, on September 21, 2026.
The arrested suspect was identified by police as alias “Mar,” 37, single, a driver, and a resident of Barangay Tubod.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), in coordination with the Iligan City Mobile Force Company (ICMFC) and other ICPO personnel, with the assistance of an intelligence operative from Police Station 4.
Police said the operation resulted in the recovery of nine heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The seized substance had a combined weight of approximately 64.27 grams, with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P437,036.
Also confiscated were a rubber pencil case, a weighing scale, P300 in bills used as buy-bust money, and other items described by authorities as drug paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, “Mar” was brought to Police Station 4 of the Iligan City Police Office for documentation and temporary detention while authorities prepared the appropriate legal proceedings.
Police Say Suspect Had Two Previous Drug-Related Arrests
According to police, “Mar” had allegedly been arrested twice previously in connection with drug-related offenses, making the latest operation his third arrest.
Authorities also alleged that the suspect sourced illegal drugs from Marawi City and distributed them in Iligan City. Police further said information gathered during the operation indicated that he allegedly also dispensed illegal drugs while traveling to Cagayan de Oro City.
These claims remain allegations unless established through evidence and appropriate judicial proceedings.
The suspect is expected to face complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Section 5 generally covers the illegal sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs, while Section 11 covers illegal possession.
PRO 10 Vows Continued Anti-Drug Operations
PBGen Nestor C. Babagay Jr., Regional Director of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10), commended the operating units for the successful operation.
“We will continue our fight against illegal drugs. We will not stop going after those who sell and distribute drugs in our communities. Our goal is simple: to keep our people safe from illegal drugs,” Babagay said.
The operation forms part of PRO 10’s continuing campaign against illegal drugs under the Focused Agenda of the Chief, PNP, anchored on the Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas and its commitment to “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
The seized suspected shabu and other evidence will be subjected to the appropriate examination and documentation procedures, while the suspect remains in police custody pending the filing and resolution of the charges.
Under Philippine law, an arrested suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.