TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE — Two men were arrested after police conducted a buy-bust operation that resulted in the seizure of an estimated 50 grams of suspected shabu worth approximately ₱340,000 in Barangay Visayan Village, Tagum City, on October 3, 2026.
The operation was carried out at around 2:30 p.m. by personnel of the Tagum City Police Station (TCPS), in coordination with the Davao Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit (DNPIU) and the 1st Davao Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st DNPMFC).
Police identified the arrested suspects only by their aliases “Mon,” 54, a resident of Barangay Visayan Village, Tagum City, and “Cristopher,” 50, a resident of Barangay Apokon, Tagum City.
According to the police report, the operation began when a poseur-buyer allegedly purchased one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu from the suspects. The transaction reportedly involved a genuine ₱500 bill and seven machine-copied ₱1,000 bills that were used as marked money.
Following the transaction, police recovered additional items allegedly in the suspects’ possession, including one large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu and four more heat-sealed transparent sachets believed to contain the same substance.
Authorities also seized an orange disposable lighter, a brown pouch, several improvised glass tooters, a black digital weighing scale, two marked orange-and-yellow disposable lighters, two improvised bamboo clips, a marked pair of scissors, and one pack of transparent plastic cellophane.
The total weight of the suspected shabu was placed at approximately 50 grams, with a reported Standard Drug Price of ₱340,000.
The operation forms part of the continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign of law enforcement agencies in Davao del Norte, with police targeting individuals allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs.
The two suspects are currently under the custody of the Tagum City Police Station while authorities prepare the appropriate charges.
They are set to face complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Section 5 covers the illegal sale, trading, administration, delivery, distribution, or transportation of dangerous drugs; Section 11 concerns possession of dangerous drugs; and Section 12 covers possession of drug paraphernalia.
The seized substance will undergo the required examination and documentation as part of the investigation and court proceedings.
The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.