DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur — Police arrested an alleged top-priority illegal drug personality and seized approximately 306.24 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱2 million during a buy-bust operation along the highway in Barangay Sinawilan, Digos City, at around 8:23 p.m. on October 3, 2026.
The suspect, identified by authorities through the alias “Ali-Hass*m,” 24, married, and reportedly a resident of Cotabato City, was arrested after allegedly selling a substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, to an undercover police officer.
Police said the suspect had recently completed a Criminology course and was reportedly reviewing at a review center in Davao City in preparation for the Criminologist Licensure Examination.
The operation was led by personnel of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 11 (RPDEU 11) under Police Captain Marc Jaeson Kristoffer O. Culaste, with the direct supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Maynard D. Pascual, chief of RPDEU 11. Personnel from the Digos City Police Station also participated in the joint anti-illegal drug operation.
According to the police, the operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 306.24 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with an estimated value of ₱2 million.
The confiscated drugs consisted of one heat-sealed packet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, which served as the buy-bust item, weighing approximately 6.24 grams.
Authorities also recovered six additional heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a similar white crystalline substance, which police estimated to weigh approximately 300 grams. These were reportedly recovered as evidence of alleged possession.
The police further seized ₱1,000 in genuine buy-bust money and 49 pieces of machine-printed boodle money allegedly used during the transaction.
Other items reportedly recovered during the operation included a driver’s license bearing the name Abdulbara Omar Tuwan, a machine copy of the official receipt/certificate of registration of a Suzuki Stingray, a blue Android cellphone with a blue cover, ₱700 cash, a black sling bag, and a red plastic cellophane package wrapped with yellow masking tape.
A white Suzuki Stingray with plate number MBN 8026, including its ignition key, was also confiscated by the police in connection with the operation.
Police said that during the transaction, one of the individuals allegedly identified as Tuwan, who was reportedly with the arrested suspect, noticed that the supposed buyer was a police officer. The individual then allegedly fled toward an undetermined direction.
Personnel from RPDEU 11 and the Digos City Police Station immediately launched a hot pursuit operation for the escaped suspect.
The arrested suspect, together with the recovered evidence, was placed under the custody of the Digos City Police Station for documentation and further investigation.
Police said charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the arrested suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing, particularly regarding the identity and whereabouts of the individual who allegedly escaped during the operation.
The allegations against the arrested suspect remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.