Operatives from the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) in Region 7 have successfully apprehended an Indian national accused of using his local business as a front for selling illegal narcotics. The arrest, which led to the confiscation of suspected opium and an astonishing amount of cash, unfolded in Cebu City this week.
Undercover Operation Leads to Major Bust
The arrest of Lalith Chellaram Sangwani, 42, occurred at approximately 3:20 PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Police served a search warrant at his establishment, the Indian Mini Mart, located inside the Arcade Building on F. Cabahug Street, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City. Sangwani, who resides at the same location, was taken into custody without incident.
The operation, codenamed Coplan Mekus-Mekus, was the culmination of a week-long surveillance effort. Police Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Guevara Jr., the acting commander of the Special Operations Unit 7, ordered the surveillance after his unit received credible information that Sangwani was not only running a store but was also actively engaged in the illegal drug trade.
Massive Haul of Drugs and Cash
Following the intelligence gathering and a confirmed test-buy operation, authorities secured a search warrant approved by Judge Anacleto Debalucos of RTC Branch 17. The subsequent raid yielded a significant cache of evidence.
The primary contraband seized was 24 bottles containing a substance believed to be opium, a key ingredient in manufacturing dangerous drugs like heroin, codeine, and morphine. The suspected opium had a total weight of approximately 320 grams and carries an estimated standard drug price of P208,000.
However, the most staggering find was the amount of cash discovered. Agents from PDEG 7 recovered a plastic bag containing money amounting to a colossal P163,455,000. Additional items taken as evidence include:
- Six (6) cellular phones
- Twenty-four (24) ATM cards from various banks
- One (1) wristwatch
Charges Filed and Evidence Processed
The confiscated drugs are now under the custody of the PNP Forensic Unit 7 for thorough chemical analysis to confirm their exact composition. Meanwhile, the police have prepared a criminal case against Sangwani for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which pertains to possession of dangerous drugs.
This arrest highlights the continued vigilance of anti-narcotics units in Central Visayas against individuals who may use legitimate businesses as cover for illicit activities. The substantial cash haul suggests the possible scale of the alleged operation, which authorities are now investigating further.
