A 49-year-old tricycle driver was arrested after police seized around 18 grams of suspected shabu worth P122,400 in a buy-bust operation in Tuguegarao City on 29 August 2026.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Chal,” is married and a resident of Cataggaman Pardo, Tuguegarao City.

The operation was conducted around noon in Pinakanawan Delpol, Centro 11 by the Provincial Intelligence Unit-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PIU-PDEU) of the Cagayan Provincial Police Office, in coordination with the Tuguegarao City Police Station.

Police said they recovered three heat-sealed transparent sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined weight of 18 grams and an estimated Standard Drug Price of P122,400.

Of the total, 1.68 grams valued at P11,424 allegedly served as the buy-bust item, while the remaining 16.32 grams, worth P110,976, were reportedly recovered from the suspect’s possession.

Authorities also recovered a black sling bag, an Honor Android cellphone, an empty pack of Chester cigarettes, a rolled piece of aluminum foil, and a black Honda Beat motorcycle.

The seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses, including a barangay official and a media representative, police said.

The suspect and the confiscated evidence were later brought to the Tuguegarao Component City Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.

Authorities are preparing charges against the suspect for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police Regional Office 2 Regional Director PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez commended the operating units and reiterated the PRO2’s campaign against illegal drugs in Cagayan Valley.

Rodriguez also called on the public to cooperate with law enforcement and report suspected illegal activities in their communities.

He stressed that anti-drug operations would continue to be conducted in accordance with the law, police operational procedures and respect for human rights.