AUTHORITIES have arrested three persons, including a high-value individual (HVI), and seized over P1.8 million worth of illegal drugs in separate anti-drug operations in two provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), officials said Monday, June 9, 2025.
The arrested suspects include a 21-year-old farmer, a 38-year-old driver and the HVI identified as alias Pipoy.
Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (Pro-Bar) director, said the farmer and driver were arrested in an anti-drug operation around 6:31 p.m. Saturday, June 7, in Making village, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
Macapaz said seized from the two suspects were some 268 grams of suspected shabu packed in three transparent plastic sachets worth P1,822,400, and P1,000 marked money.
He said the arrested suspects were newly identified drug personalities operating in Making and nearby villages in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Robert Daculan, Lanao del Sur police director, said Pipoy was arrested in a buy-bust around 12:08 a.m. Saturday, June 7, in Purok 2, Barangay Eastern, Wao, Lanao del Sur.
Daculan said seized from Pipoy were some 10 grams of suspected shabu packed in one heat-sealed medium-sized sachet worth P68,000, a bundle of boodle money topped with one genuine P1,000 marked money, and a motorcycle.
The suspects were detained while charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them.
“I commend the dedication of our operating units in carrying out thesesuccessful operations. These bring us a step closer to our shared goal of building safer, drug-free communities,” Macapaz said. (SunStar Zamboanga)