A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy was rescued by authorities early Monday morning, May 26, 2025, after he was caught in possession of suspected shabu during a checkpoint operation in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The minor, identified only as alias “JM,” a resident of San Roque, Talisay City, was intercepted at around 3:55 a.m. by personnel of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) while riding a motorcycle-for-hire (habal-habal) along M. Logarta Street.
According to MCPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Villaro, the boy was seen throwing away a small plastic sachet as they neared the checkpoint.
The police noticed the act and immediately recovered the item.
“He rode a habal-habal, and when he saw a checkpoint, he threw the sachet by the roadside. Our personnel saw it, so he was arrested and the evidence was confiscated,” Villaro said in an interview.
The recovered sachet, which was heat-sealed and transparent, contained a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. It weighed approximately 0.04 grams and has an estimated street value of P272.
Villaro added that the motorcycle driver was unaware the minor was carrying illegal drugs. The driver was released after police confirmed that he had no connection with the child.
Further investigation revealed that the boy was allegedly instructed by his uncle to deliver the sachet to a friend in Mandaue City.
The minor was turned over to the Mandaue City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) for proper care and intervention, following protocols for children in conflict with the law (CICL).
The seized substance was submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit for laboratory testing.
Police are now trying to determine whether the boy acted as a drug courier and if he had been involved in similar activities before.
Authorities are now trying to locate where the drugs came from, said Villaro.
“We are looking into the possibility that he has been used in drug distribution. This should not be taken lightly, especially since a minor is involved,” Villaro said.
She called on parents and the community to remain vigilant and actively protect minors from being exploited by criminal elements. / CAV