PAHAMUDDIN, Special Geographic Area (SGA-BARMM) — A man was arrested after authorities recovered approximately ₱340,000 worth of suspected shabu during a joint anti-criminality checkpoint operation in Barangay Datu Binasing, Pahamuddin, Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), on Sunday, October 11.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 14 A, 3rd Platoon, led by team leader Police Staff Sergeant Mohamad Ali B. Ampatuan, in coordination with the Pahamuddin Municipal Police Station (MPS) under its Acting Chief of Police, Police Captain Rafael S. Bataan.
According to the police, the operating team flagged down a red Honda Click 125cc motorcycle that was being driven without an attached license plate as it entered the municipality of Pahamuddin.
During the subsequent search conducted in connection with the suspect’s arrest, authorities discovered a medium-sized, heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu inside the motorcycle’s utility box, commonly known as the U-box.
The seized substance weighed approximately 50 grams and carried an estimated value of ₱340,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) valuation.
The suspect was identified only as alias Asraf, an adult married man who is reportedly a resident of Talayan, Maguindanao del Sur, but is currently residing in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte.
Police Captain Bataan said the suspect was intercepted while entering the jurisdiction of Pahamuddin. Aside from the suspected illegal drugs, authorities also took custody of the red Honda Click 125cc motorcycle allegedly used by the suspect.
To ensure the proper documentation and preservation of evidence, police conducted an inventory and marking of the seized items at the scene in the presence of Barangay Kagawad Asaraf B. Mokamadali of Barangay Datu Binasing and media representative Rahib P. Bansao of DXMY Cotabato.
The arrested suspect is currently under the custody of the Pahamuddin MPS while authorities prepare the appropriate charges for filing before the court for the alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police also said the suspect will undergo a drug test, while the confiscated substance will be submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit–BARMM for chemical laboratory examination and proper handling in accordance with established procedures.
The arrest forms part of the continuing anti-criminality efforts of police units in the Bangsamoro region, particularly checkpoint operations aimed at detecting and preventing the movement of suspected illegal drugs and other prohibited items.
Authorities have yet to establish through forensic examination whether the confiscated substance is indeed shabu. The suspect’s guilt must likewise be determined through the judicial process, consistent with the presumption of innocence.