Major Drug Bust in Leyte Nets P16.3 Million in Shabu
Law enforcement authorities scored a significant victory against illegal drugs in Eastern Visayas after a successful buy-bust operation in Palo, Leyte on Friday evening, November 14, 2025. The operation resulted in the confiscation of approximately 2.4 kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P16.3 million and the arrest of two live-in partners who worked as fruit vendors.
Coordinated Operation Leads to Arrests
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - Cebu Provincial Office spearheaded the operation with support from PDEA-8, Leyte Police Provincial Office, and Naval Forces Central. The bust occurred at approximately 8:40 PM in Barangay Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte, targeting a drug distribution network that had been under surveillance for one month.
PDEA7 Director Joel Plaza identified the suspects as alias Ana, 23, and alias Buding, 34, both residents of Barangay Poblacion 6, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte. The couple had been renting a house in the area for approximately two months while allegedly conducting their illegal drug trade.
Evidence and Investigation Details
During the operation, authorities recovered substantial evidence including:
- 21 large packages of suspected shabu weighing 2.4 kilograms
- Buy-bust money used in the operation
- Two mobile phones
- Two weighing scales
- Other drug paraphernalia
According to Leia Alcantara, information officer for PDEA 7, the suspects had been under surveillance for one month as part of the case buildup. Investigation revealed that the couple could allegedly sell up to 10 kilograms of shabu per week from their unidentified source.
"Based on our monitoring, the two were also supplying shabu to Central Visayas, which prompted us to prioritize them for this buy-bust operation," Alcantara stated.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The confiscated evidence has been forwarded to the PDEA 8 Office Laboratory for chemical analysis to confirm the substance as shabu. Meanwhile, the suspects are currently detained at a temporary custodial facility while authorities prepare to file appropriate charges.
Authorities are now conducting follow-up operations to identify the source of the illegal drugs and determine if the suspects are connected to any larger drug syndicate operating in the Visayas region. This operation represents a significant blow to drug distribution networks supplying Central Visayas, demonstrating the continued vigilance of Philippine drug enforcement agencies.
