In a significant blow to narcotics trafficking, law enforcement authorities have successfully apprehended four high-value individuals and seized illegal drugs valued at approximately P2.6 million during a targeted anti-drug operation in Lanao del Sur. The police announced the details of this operation on Monday, March 2, 2026, highlighting a major victory in the ongoing campaign against illegal substances.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, the director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the arrested suspects through their aliases as Fahad, Usman, Jamal, and Nani. All individuals are of legal age and were taken into custody following an intelligence-driven buy-bust operation conducted on Saturday, February 28, in Poblacion village, Saquiaran, Lanao del Sur.
Evidence Recovered from the Operation
During the operation, authorities confiscated a substantial amount of evidence, including approximately 388 grams of shabu. The illegal drugs were packed in three knot-tied transparent plastic sachets, with an estimated street value of P2.6 million. In addition to the narcotics, police recovered a light commercial van that was used to transport the drugs, buy-bust money, an identification card, a mobile phone, and various other illegal drug paraphernalia.
General De Guzman confirmed that all seized evidence and the suspects are currently under the custody of the Saguiaran Municipal Police Station. The items are being processed for proper documentation and disposition as part of standard investigative procedures.
Legal Actions and Public Appeal
The suspects are set to face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, a stringent law aimed at curbing drug-related activities in the Philippines. General De Guzman emphasized the importance of this arrest in disrupting local drug networks and urged the public to remain vigilant.
He called on communities to continue supporting the government’s broader campaign against criminality and illegal drugs, stressing that collaborative efforts are essential for maintaining public safety and order. This operation underscores the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking in the region, reflecting a proactive approach based on intelligence gathering and strategic interventions.
