Makati drug sting foils major deal; 2 arrested, P22M seized

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Saturday a major crackdown on illegal drugs after intercepting a shipment valued at over P22 million in Makati City on 12 February.

The operation, in Knightsbridge, Brgy. Poblacion, led to the arrest of two high-value suspects—a 24-year-old Indonesian male and a 21-year-old Filipino female—who were caught in possession of shabu, ecstasy, marijuana products, and other drug paraphernalia.

PNP Chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the operation sends a strong message to organized criminal groups that the PNP remains relentless in safeguarding communities.

“Sa tulong ng tamang koordinasyon at mabilis na aksyon, napigilan natin ang paglaganap ng bawal na gamot na makakasama sa ating komunidad,” Nartatez said.

He added that the anti-illegal drug operation, conducted by personnel from the Special Operations Unit (SOU) NCR and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG), was a precise buy-bust under PDEA pre-operations protocols.

The suspects were found with 26 grams of suspected shabu worth P176,800.00, 501 pieces of ecstasy tablets valued at P851,700.00, 3,000 ml of liquid shabu worth P10.8 million, and 2,500 ml of ecstasy pure oil valued at P10.42 million. Additional marijuana products, electronic devices, identification cards, and other paraphernalia were also seized.

All confiscated illegal drugs, according to Nartatez, have been turned over to the PNP Forensic Laboratory for examination, while non-drug evidence is under the custody of SOU NCR and PNP DEG for documentation. The suspects are now held at the Makati City Police Station Custodial Facility.

Nartatez emphasized that operations like this reinforce the PNP’s national-level campaign against illegal drugs, demonstrating the organization’s focus on high-value targets and coordinated enforcement.

“Every operation strengthens our commitment to a safe, drug-free Philippines. We continue to improve our response so that communities feel the impact of our service,” he said.

This accomplishment aligns with the PNP’s Focused Agenda and Enhanced Managing Police Operations, showing that careful planning, disciplined execution, and collaboration across units remain key to combating the illegal drug menace nationwide, Nartatez added.

“This latest operation underscores the PNP’s steadfast commitment to dismantling illegal drug networks and safeguarding communities nationwide, producing results that are visible and meaningful to the public, and exemplifying the principles of the Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman,” the top cop stressed.