Major Drug Bust Nets Food Delivery Rider with P1 Million Worth of Shabu
Undercover operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Lapu-Lapu City scored a significant victory in the war against drugs on Tuesday morning, November 18, 2025. The joint operation with Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Station 3 resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old food delivery rider allegedly involved in large-scale drug distribution.
The buy-bust operation unfolded at approximately 11:15 AM in Kalabasa II, Barangay Gun-ob, where authorities apprehended the suspect identified only as alias Dither. The suspect, who resides in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, was caught red-handed during the carefully planned sting.
Massive Drug Haul and Evidence Collected
During the operation, agents confiscated ten large packages of suspected shabu with a total weight of approximately 150 grams. The illegal drugs have an estimated street value of P1,020,000, marking one of the substantial seizures in recent operations.
Authorities also recovered crucial evidence including:
- Buy-bust money used in the operation
- One cellular phone
- Other personal items
All confiscated evidence is now under the custody of PDEA Regional Office 7 for proper documentation and chemical analysis to confirm the substance's composition.
Week-Long Surveillance Leads to Arrest
According to Leia Alcantara, PDEA 7 information officer, the agency had been monitoring the suspect's activities for approximately one week before conducting the bust. The case buildup revealed alarming details about the scale of the suspect's operations.
The suspect allegedly had the capacity to sell up to 300 grams of shabu per week, indicating his significant role in the local drug trade. What makes this case particularly noteworthy is that Dither was a newly identified drug personality who wasn't even on PDEA's target list prior to the surveillance operation.
Alcantara emphasized that the suspect's status as a food delivery rider potentially provided cover for his illegal activities, allowing him to move around the city with less suspicion.
Legal Charges Being Prepared
PDEA Regional Director Joel Plaza confirmed that the suspect was the primary target of their operation. The agency is now preparing to file formal charges against the arrested individual for violations of Section 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Section 5 typically covers the sale, trading, and administration of dangerous drugs, while Section 11 addresses possession of dangerous drugs. The combination of these charges reflects the serious nature of the offenses allegedly committed by the suspect.
The successful operation demonstrates the continued vigilance of PDEA and police authorities in Central Visayas against illegal drug activities, particularly those involving individuals who use legitimate occupations as fronts for criminal operations.
