In a series of successful drug busts in the Soccsksargen region, law enforcement officials seized shabu valued at over PHP1 million in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. The operations, which took place on Thursday, were initiated following tips from the public.
In North Cotabato, a significant drug bust occurred around 3 p.m. in Barangay Osias, Kabacan town, leading to the arrest of a 38-year-old man known as ‘Mabs’ from Pikit. The police confiscated shabu worth over PHP1.02 million, along with marked money and a mobile phone used for drug transactions.
Simultaneously, in Sultan Kudarat’s Esperanza town, a local government employee named ‘Sam’ was apprehended during a buy-bust operation at around 5 p.m. in Barangay Numo. The police seized PHP34,000 worth of illegal drugs from him. ‘Sam’ had previously been involved in drug activities in 2023 but did not complete his rehabilitation program. He was known to supply drugs to various parts of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Ardiente, the acting director of the Police Regional Office (PRO-12), confirmed the arrests and the filing of cases against both suspects under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.