A buy-bust operation in North Caloocan on Wednesday, 15 January, led to the arrest of a ready-to-wear (RTW) business owner and his two nephews.

The drug sting was carried out on Domato Street, Barangay 188, North Caloocan, at approximately 5:56 a.m. 

Police Captain Regie Pobadora, chief of the Northern Police District - District Drug Enforcement Unit (NPD-DDEU), shared that alias “Khadapi” sold at least 25 grams of suspected shabu to poseur-buyers.

Upon confirming the presence of illegal narcotics, the NPD-DDEU, in collaboration with the Caloocan City Police Station - Station Drug Enforcement Unit (CCPS-SDEU) and the SWAT Team, conducted the operation, resulting in the arrest of three individuals.

The suspects were identified as Khadapi, a 50-year-old North Caloocan resident considered a high-level drug suspect, and his two nephews, aged 15 and 17.

Police confiscated one medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet, two additional heat-sealed sachets, and five knot-tied sachets, all containing suspected shabu. 

The eight packs had a total estimated weight of 625 grams, with a street value of approximately P4,250,000.

Pobadora stated that the two minors were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), while Khadapi remains under the custody of the Northern Police District. 

The confiscated narcotics were brought to the NPD Forensic Unit for further testing.

Northern Police District Acting District Director PCOL Josefino Ligan praised the success of the operation.

“This significant seizure is a direct result of our relentless efforts to dismantle illegal drug operations within our jurisdiction,” Ligan said.

This incident follows a similar arrest on Monday, 13 January, when a casino agent was apprehended in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, for possession of P3.6 million worth of shabu.