TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — Police arrested a suspected high-value individual (HVI) and seized approximately 53.06 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of ₱360,808, during an early-morning buy-bust operation in Barangay Candis, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Abay,” 35, single, and a resident of Barangay Candis, was arrested at around 4:25 a.m. on November 3 in Purok 4 after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu worth ₱500 to a police operative acting as a buyer.
The operation was jointly carried out by personnel of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), and Tubod Municipal Police Station (MPS) of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (LDN PPO), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), under Pre-Operation No. 11-00-11032026-001.
Following the alleged transaction, operating personnel conducted a search that resulted in the recovery of five additional sachets containing suspected shabu, bringing the total confiscated drug weight to approximately 53.06 grams.
Authorities also seized the buy-bust money, assorted cash, a pink coin purse, and two disposable lighters. The recovered suspected illegal drugs were estimated to have a Standard Drug Price of ₱360,808.
The marking and inventory of the confiscated evidence were conducted at the arrest site in the presence of the suspect, an elected barangay official, and a media representative, in accordance with the required procedures for handling seized drug evidence.
Police said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights before being brought to Tubod MPS for documentation and proper disposition. The confiscated substances will undergo laboratory examination to determine their composition and confirm whether they contain methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
Meanwhile, authorities are preparing charges against the suspect for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The case is set to undergo inquest proceedings before the Lanao del Norte Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
PCOL Leo De Leon Sua, provincial director of LDN PPO, commended the operating units for their coordinated efforts, describing the operation as another accomplishment in the province’s campaign against illegal drugs.
“This accomplishment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from illegal drugs. We will continue strengthening our intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with partner agencies to apprehend individuals involved in illegal drug activities. Let this serve as a warning that we remain relentless in our campaign against illegal drugs while upholding human rights and due process,” Sua said.
The arrest adds to the police province’s ongoing enforcement efforts against suspected drug personalities and illegal drug distribution networks.
However, the confiscated substances remain classified as suspected illegal drugs pending laboratory confirmation, while the allegations against the arrested individual remain subject to the appropriate legal proceedings.