Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a high-value drug suspect and seized about P13.6 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on June 28.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the operation was conducted in Barangay Landasan, also known as Sarmiento, in coordination with police and intelligence units.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect only by the alias “Dats,” 42 years old, and a resident of Barangay Poblacion in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur.
PDEA said the suspect was allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and North Cotabato.
Seized during the operation were two Chinese tea bags marked “888” containing about two kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P13.6 million.
Operatives also recovered the buy-bust money, an Android mobile phone, a Suzuki Ertiga vehicle, a brown wallet, assorted identification cards, travel documents, and a key.
The operation was carried out with support from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A, 1401st Mobile Force Company, PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 15, Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Intelligence Team, Regional Intelligence Unit 15, Regional Intelligence Division of PRO BAR, NICA-BARMM, and the Parang Municipal Police Station.
The suspect is under the custody of the PDEA-BARMM Jail Facility while awaiting inquest proceedings for alleged violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.