A suspected high-value drug personality was arrested after police seized nearly ₱5.8 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 96, Calanipawan, Tacloban City on June 25. Authorities recovered around 850 grams of the suspected illegal drug, along with drug paraphernalia and marked money, in what police described as another major blow to the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas. The suspect is now facing charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act as investigators continue to trace the source of the narcotics and identify other individuals linked to the operation.
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Authorities arrested a suspected high-value drug personality during a buy-bust operation in Tacloban City on Thursday, June 25, leading to the seizure of nearly ₱5.8 million worth of suspected shabu, according to the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO).
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Gabs,” 46, unemployed, and a resident of Tacloban City, was apprehended during the anti-illegal drugs operation conducted in Lumbang 1, Barangay 96, Calanipawan.
Police reported that approximately 850 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) were confiscated from the suspect. Based on the valuation of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the illegal drugs have an estimated street value of ₱5,780,000.
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Recovered during the operation were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and 11 knot-tied plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. Authorities also seized a digital weighing scale, a sling bag, and the marked buy-bust money used in the operation.
The confiscated substances have been submitted for laboratory examination to verify their chemical composition and confirm that they are illegal drugs.
The suspect is currently under the custody of the Tacloban City Police Office while investigators prepare the appropriate charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165).
Police officials said the successful operation forms part of the Philippine National Police’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs aimed at dismantling local drug networks and bringing high-value drug personalities to justice.
Authorities have yet to determine the source of the seized illegal drugs and are conducting a follow-up investigation to identify other individuals who may be involved in the distribution of narcotics in Tacloban City and nearby areas
Lets know the Facts:
The suspect is expected to face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165), including:
- Section 5 – Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs, as the suspect was allegedly caught during a buy-bust operation involving the sale of suspected shabu.
- Section 11 – Possession of Dangerous Drugs, for the alleged possession of approximately 850 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), which carries severe penalties due to the large quantity involved.
- Section 26 – Attempt or Conspiracy to Commit Unlawful Acts, may also be considered if investigators establish that the suspect acted in coordination with other individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
Authorities are also conducting a follow-up investigation to identify the source of the illegal drugs and determine whether additional charges may be filed against other individuals connected to the distribution network.
The filing of these charges remains subject to the results of the laboratory examination, the completion of the police investigation, and the evaluation of the prosecutor’s office before formal criminal charges are filed in court.