DAVAO CITY — Authorities recovered an estimated ₱3.4 million worth of suspected shabu weighing approximately 500 grams from a black backpack left inside a Ceres bus unit at a bus company garage in Barangay Maa, Davao City, on October 23, 2026.
The illegal drugs were discovered during an anti-drug operation involving the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 11 (PDEG-SOU 11), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 11, and the Maa Police Station.
According to the initial report, authorities acted after Police Lieutenant Colonel De Quincio Pante, officer in charge of PDEG-SOU 11, received information shortly after 11 a.m. Friday about a bag reportedly left inside a Ceres bus unit at the company’s garage in the Bugac area of Barangay Maa.
Personnel from the police and PDEA proceeded to inspect the reported location and discovered a black backpack containing 10 large sachets of suspected shabu, with a combined estimated weight of 500 grams.
The confiscated substance was valued at approximately ₱3.4 million, based on the initial report. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the suspected drugs or their intended destination.
No arrest; investigation continues
No suspect was arrested during the operation because authorities had yet to establish who owned or left the backpack inside the bus.
Investigators are continuing efforts to determine the ownership of the seized contraband and identify anyone who may be responsible for bringing the suspected illegal drugs into the premises.
The recovered substances have been placed under the custody of PDEA Region 11 for proper handling and disposition in accordance with established procedures.
Authorities have not announced any charges or identified a suspect in connection with the discovery.
The recovery highlights the role of coordinated law enforcement operations in intercepting suspected illegal drugs. However, the circumstances surrounding how the backpack entered the bus unit, who left it there, and whether the incident is connected to a larger drug distribution operation remain under investigation.
All allegations remain subject to investigation, and the substance must be confirmed through appropriate forensic examination.