P1.36M drugs seized, suspect held in Guinobatan buy-bust operation

Some P1.36-million worth of illegal drugs were seized and one suspect was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Quitago, Guinobatan, Albay, on 03 January 2025.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 5 (PDEA RO5), the operation was led by its Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), with support from various law enforcement and partner agencies.

The operation was conducted at around 9:01 a.m. with assistance from the PDEA Albay Provincial Office, PDEA Regional Legal Unit (RO5), Guinobatan Municipal Police Station, and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 5 (RPDEU 5).

Seized during the operation were suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated total weight of about 200 grams, contained in two knot-tied transparent plastic sachets with white crystalline substance. The confiscated drugs have an estimated standard drug price of P1,360,000.

Authorities also recovered non-drug items, including one genuine P1,000 bill with recorded serial number bundled with several P1,000 bill replicas wrapped in cling plastic, one Android mobile phone, one pink paper bag, one black plastic container, and one white plastic container.

The suspect, identified as a high-value target, is a 27-year-old unemployed individual and a resident of Taguig City.

The suspect will be charged with violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.