SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines — Two individuals identified by police as drug personalities were arrested during a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of nearly ₱96,000 worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Tapayan, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, on Tuesday, October 6.
The Sultan Mastura Municipal Police Station identified the suspects as Rashid R. Gumaga, alias “Ronex,” 42, a farmer, and Amid R. Gumaga, alias “Karding,” 39, a construction worker. Both are residents of Barangay Tapayan.
Police said the operation was conducted at around 11:30 a.m. by personnel of the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MDEU) of the Sultan Mastura MPS, in coordination with the Police Intelligence Unit (PIU) and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (MDN PPO).
The operation reportedly stemmed from information provided by Barangay Captain Roland S. Bilalang, which prompted police to conduct a controlled drug transaction targeting the two suspects.
During the operation, a police poseur-buyer allegedly purchased two sachets of suspected shabu, with an estimated combined weight of around 0.5 gram and a stated value of ₱500.
Police then conducted a search incidental to the suspects’ lawful arrest. Authorities reportedly recovered three additional sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately eight grams from Rashid, while another six grams of suspected shabu were allegedly recovered from Amid.
Including the suspected shabu sold during the buy-bust transaction, authorities placed the estimated total value of the seized illegal drug at approximately ₱95,700.
Aside from the suspected shabu, police also recovered several items allegedly associated with drug use, including drug-smoking pipes, a lighter, a cellphone and other pieces of evidence.
The two suspects were brought to the Sultan Mastura Municipal Police Station for booking, 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 suspects.
The operation forms part of the continuing anti-illegal drug campaign of police authorities in Maguindanao del Norte, particularly against street-level drug activity in local communities.
The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.