In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, a couple was apprehended in Cotabato City following a meticulously planned buy-bust operation. The operation, which took place in Barangay Poblacion 5 at around 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, resulted in the seizure of approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu, valued at PHP3.4 million on the street. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), along with the Cotabato City Police, the regional enforcement unit, and the Philippine Marines, collaborated to execute the operation.
The suspects, identified as ‘Theng’ and his wife ‘Saima’ from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, were caught red-handed. In addition to the drugs, authorities confiscated mobile phones, marked money, and identification cards from the couple. According to Gil Cesario Castro, the director of PDEA-BARMM, the duo had been actively involved in drug operations across Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Cotabato City. They now face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In a related incident, Zamboanga City saw another successful drug bust on the same night, where authorities arrested 26-year-old Ebzar Esmon from Barangay Sinunuc. Esmon was caught at Lemong Drive, Barangay Baliwasan, after selling 250 grams of shabu to an undercover agent. The drugs seized were valued at PHP1.7 million. Esmon is currently detained at Zamboanga City Police Station 11.