SALAY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL — Police arrested a 41-year-old man and seized approximately 40 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of ₱272,000 during a buy-bust operation in Salay, Misamis Oriental, in the early hours of September 25, 2026.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Salay Municipal Police Station (MPS), with the assistance of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC) of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office, in Purok 4, Barangay Looc.
According to police, the operation was launched following intelligence information concerning the alleged illegal drug activities of the suspect.
During the operation, an undercover police officer acting as the poseur buyer allegedly purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from the suspect. After the transaction was completed, police officers proceeded to arrest him and conduct a body search.
The search allegedly resulted in the recovery of three additional sachets of suspected illegal drugs, bringing the total estimated amount of suspected shabu seized during the operation to approximately 40 grams.
Aside from the suspected shabu, authorities also confiscated a weighing scale, a sling bag, and other pieces of evidence believed to be relevant to the investigation.
The seized substances will be subjected to the appropriate examination and documentation procedures as part of the case build-up. Police did not identify the suspect in the initial information provided.
The suspect is currently under the custody of the Salay MPS while authorities prepare the appropriate charges and undertake the necessary legal proceedings.
Police Regional Office 10 Director PBGen Nestor C. Babagay Jr. underscored the continuing implementation of intelligence-driven and anti-illegal drug operations across Northern Mindanao, saying such efforts are intended to prevent illegal drugs from reaching communities.
The operation is part of the police campaign against the distribution and proliferation of illegal drugs in Misamis Oriental and the wider Northern Mindanao region.
The suspect remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.