KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Norte — Authorities arrested two suspected drug personalities and seized approximately 550 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard value of ₱3.74 million during a joint anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Poblacion, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that the buy-bust operation was conducted at around 12:15 p.m. by a joint team led by the PDEA Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office (ZDSPO), in coordination with the PDEA Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, PDEA Misamis Occidental Provincial Office, and the Philippine National Police Regional Intelligence Unit 10 (PNP-RIU10).
The operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified by their aliases, “Abdul,” 33, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Kapatagan, and “Katrina,” 23, a resident of Barangay San Vicente, also in Kapatagan.
Authorities said six plastic packs containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, were confiscated during the operation. The seized substance had an estimated total weight of 550 grams and a standard value of ₱3,740,000.
Aside from the suspected illegal drugs, operatives recovered several pieces of evidence, including a lunch box bag, a cellular phone, buy-bust money, an eco bag, and a motorcycle. Authorities have not provided further details on the individual roles allegedly played by the two suspects or the circumstances surrounding the transaction that led to their arrest.
The seized evidence was inventoried and documented in the presence of a media representative and an elected official, who served as witnesses to the procedure.
The two suspects are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Section 5 penalizes the unauthorized sale, trading, administration, dispensing, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs, among other prohibited acts.
The case will proceed through the appropriate legal processes, during which the seized substance and other evidence may be subjected to examination and presented in support of the allegations against the suspects.
The operation forms part of the continuing anti-illegal drug campaign of PDEA and its partner law enforcement agencies in Northern Mindanao and neighboring areas.
While the seizure represents a substantial quantity of suspected shabu based on the reported weight and estimated standard value, the suspects’ alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade remains subject to the legal process. The substance’s identity and the allegations against the arrested individuals must be established through the appropriate procedures.
The authorities have not disclosed whether the operation was linked to a wider investigation or whether additional arrests are expected.