Three drug convictions handed down in Cagayan, Kalinga

Three separate drug cases handled by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 2 (PDEA RO2) have ended in convictions, with courts in Cagayan and Kalinga imposing life imprisonment and fines on those found guilty of violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The convictions were handed down between September 4 and 30, 2026, involving cases that arose from anti-drug operations conducted by PDEA provincial offices in 2025 and 2026.

The Regional Trial Court Branch 5 in Tuguegarao City on September 4 convicted an accused of violating Section 5, Article II of RA 9165 and imposed life imprisonment and a P500,000 fine.

The case stemmed from a November 27, 2025 buy-bust operation by the PDEA Cagayan Provincial Office in Barangay Ugac Sur, Tuguegarao City, where authorities dismantled a drug den and seized 8.6607 grams of suspected shabu and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Five days later, on September 9, RTC Branch 8 in Aparri, Cagayan convicted another accused of violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165. The court likewise imposed life imprisonment and a P500,000 fine.

The case resulted from a May 5, 2026 buy-bust operation in Centro Sur, Gattaran, Cagayan, which led to the seizure of 0.2173 grams of suspected shabu and 526.05 grams of dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops.

In Kalinga, RTC Branch 25 in Tabuk City on September 30 convicted another accused of violating Section 5, Article II of RA 9165 and imposed life imprisonment and a P500,000 fine.

The case arose from a March 20, 2025 buy-bust operation conducted by the PDEA Isabela Provincial Office in Bulanao, Tabuk City, resulting in the seizure of 6,980.05 grams of marijuana.

PDEA RO2 Regional Director Dir. III Gil Cesario P. Castro said the convictions show that the agency’s anti-drug campaign does not end with arrests, but also involves building cases that can withstand judicial scrutiny.

The three cases underscore the importance of prosecution in holding alleged drug offenders accountable and advancing the enforcement of the country’s anti-drug laws.

PDEA RO2 said it will continue working with police and justice-sector partners in pursuing cases against those involved in the illegal drug trade.