High-Value Drug Suspect Nabbed in Polomolok; Over ₱7.1M Worth of Shabu Seized in Pre-Dawn Operation

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

Polomolok, South Cotabato — Authorities arrested a high-value drug suspect and seized more than ₱7.1 million worth of suspected shabu during a successful buy-bust operation in the early hours of June 13, 2025, in Barangay Silway 8.

The anti-drug operation was conducted at around 12:58 a.m. by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 12 (RPDEU-12) under the command of Police Major Dave B. Abarra. It was carried out in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 12 PIT South Cotabato, RID12 Team Charlie, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit 12 (PDEG SOU12), and the Polomolok Municipal Police Station, with support from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 12.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Victor,” is a 31-year-old unemployed male and a resident of Maguindanao del Norte, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He is reportedly classified as a High-Value Individual (HVI) in the region's illegal drug trade.

Authorities recovered a total of 21 sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, with an estimated combined weight of 1,050 grams and a street value of approximately ₱7,140,000. Confiscated from the suspect were one sachet used as the subject of the buy-bust transaction, 20 additional sachets of suspected shabu, a black sling bag, an Android mobile phone, ₱500 in cash, and ₱60,000 in marked buy-bust money composed of one genuine ₱1,000 bill and 59 pieces of counterfeit bills of the same denomination.

The inventory and marking of seized evidence were conducted on-site in the presence of the suspect, a barangay official, and a media representative, as required under standard procedures. The confiscated drugs are now in the custody of the case investigator and are set to undergo forensic examination at the South Cotabato Provincial Forensic Unit.

The suspect is currently held at the Polomolok Municipal Police Station. He will face formal charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police Brigadier General Arnold P. Ardiente, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 12, commended the operating units and their partner agencies for the swift and coordinated enforcement action.

“The campaign against illegal drugs remains a top priority, and we are fully committed to intensifying our efforts across Region 12 to dismantle drug networks and hold offenders accountable,” PBGEN Ardiente said in a statement.

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