Luzon drug sweep: 31 nabbed

Law enforcement units arrested at least 31 individuals — including two high-value targets, a repeat drug offender, and four fugitives — in synchronized anti-drug and manhunt operations across Luzon on Thursday. Authorities hailed the raids as part of intensified efforts to dismantle drug networks and bring wanted individuals to justice.

In Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City, 21 suspects were arrested in what police described as one of the largest buy-bust operations in the area this year.

The operation, spearheaded by the Mabalacat City Police Station’s Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU), was carried out in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) Pampanga, Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU-PIT Pampanga), Pampanga SWAT, and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC).

Among those arrested were two high-value individuals (HVIs) identified by their aliases “Lek” and “Bonsai.”

Nineteen others were categorized as street-level individuals. Authorities confiscated approximately 105 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P714,000, and 40 grams of dried marijuana leaves valued at P4,800.

All suspects were brought to the Mabalacat City Police Station for booking, documentation, and the filing of criminal charges under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In Sitio Naybo, Poblacion, Buguias, Benguet, a 40-year-old woman with a prior drug conviction was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Cordillera Land Transportation Interdiction Unit (PDEA-LTIU).

The suspect, whose name is withheld pending further investigation, was caught after selling two sachets of suspected shabu weighing 51.2 grams to an undercover agent.

A subsequent search of her residence yielded twelve more sachets weighing 58.8 grams, along with various drug paraphernalia.

Authorities estimated the total volume of drugs at 110 grams — a significant haul that signals the suspect’s return to the illegal trade. PDEA Cordillera Regional Director Derrick Arnold Carreon confirmed that the woman had a previous drug-related case.

She now faces fresh charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165, relating to the sale and possession of illegal drugs.

The joint operation was carried out with support from the Cordillera Regional Special Enforcement Team, PDEA offices in Baguio/Benguet and Mountain Province, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the Benguet 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company.

In Cabanatuan City, the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) reported the arrest of nine individuals — five for drug offenses and four on the police’s wanted list.

A joint buy-bust operation by the Cabanatuan City Police Station’s SDEU and the NEPPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay San Roque Sur led to the arrest of a 46-year-old man from Silang, Cavite, who was caught with 51.10 grams of suspected shabu worth P346,800.

In separate operations, four other suspected drug personalities were apprehended in Gapan City and San Isidro.

Police said the group conspired to distribute drugs in the area. Recovered from them was a total of 2.8 grams of shabu, valued at P19,040. Criminal complaints under RA 9165 are being prepared against all drug suspects.

Meanwhile, under Manhunt Charlie operations, police arrested four wanted individuals facing charges of qualified theft, violation of RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries. All suspects are under custody of the concerned police units and will be presented to court as scheduled.

Law enforcement officials across the three provinces emphasized that the coordinated operations are part of a sustained crackdown on illegal drugs and criminality under President Marcos’ directive to curb narcotics at both urban and rural levels.

Authorities said these arrests reflect the collaborative effort of various units in bringing drug personalities and wanted fugitives to justice, and vowed to continue intensifying operations to ensure safer communities across Luzon.