Philippines drug operations lead to arrests and major shabu seizures

Law enforcement agencies in the Philippines conducted separate anti-illegal drug operations in Kalinga and Iligan City, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

In Tabuk City, Kalinga, two tricycle drivers were arrested during a buy-bust operation at the Dagupan Public Market on October 12. The suspects allegedly sold two sachets of suspected shabu to undercover officers. They were taken into custody for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In Iligan City, a joint operation involving the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local police led to the seizure of approximately 540.8 grams of suspected shabu, valued at roughly ₱3.67 million. Two men were arrested during the Tuesday afternoon operation in Barangay Tomas Cabili. One suspect, identified by the alias ‘Beltran’, sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh after allegedly attempting to flee and discarding a .38-caliber revolver during the encounter.