Cagayan De Oro City — Authorities seized approximately 17 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P115.6 million in what the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) called the biggest drug bust in Northern Mindanao.
PDEA reported Wednesday that the seizure is linked to a nationwide drug distribution syndicate that includes top regional officials in Metro Manila.
The successful operation occurred Tuesday at a residence in Barangay Prosperity, officials said, adding that the operation was a joint effort between PDEA agents and the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) airport and seaport interdiction units, following sustained intelligence operations.
Investigators are now tracing the origin of the illegal drugs.
PDEA regional director Alex Tablante identified the arrested suspects as an individual known as “Macoy” and Alilza Alex, both residents of Barangays Kauswagan and Tablon, respectively.
The arrested suspects reportedly represent the lowest level of the syndicate, serving as bodegero (warehousemen) and kabayo (distributors) for illegal drugs across Northern Mindanao, including the city of Marawi.
During the buy-bust operation conducted at the suspect’s residence, authorities confiscated seven large vacuum-sealed transparent plastic bags containing the suspected shabu, weighing 17 kilograms.
Also recovered were the buy-bust money placed atop “boodle money,” a brown duffle bag, and two touchscreen cell phones.