Police operatives in Cebu City scored a major victory in the war against illegal drugs with the arrest of a newly identified high-value target in a pre-dawn raid. The operation resulted in the confiscation of suspected shabu with an estimated street value reaching millions of pesos.
Dawn Raid Nets Major Drug Haul
Acting on intelligence, a joint team from the Mambaling Police Station's Drug Enforcement Unit and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Central Visayas launched a carefully planned buy-bust operation. The sting took place at 12:35 AM on Friday, January 2, 2026, in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.
The operation successfully led to the apprehension of the suspect, identified as John Michael Lopez, 20 years old, a resident of F. Sikatuna Street in Barangay Day-as, Cebu City. Authorities moved in after the transaction was completed, taking Lopez into custody without incident.
Massive Quantity of Illegal Drugs Confiscated
The seizure from the suspect was substantial. Recovered were several packets containing what authorities believe to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu. The illicit drugs had a total weight of approximately 1,030 grams.
Based on the standard drug price used by law enforcement, the confiscated substance carries an estimated market value of around seven million Philippine pesos (P7,000,000). This significant haul underscores the scale of the alleged drug peddling operation.
Other pieces of evidence were also gathered at the scene to build a solid case against the suspect. All confiscated items have been turned over to the PNP Forensic Laboratory 7 for the requisite chemical analysis to confirm the substance's composition and purity.
Legal Cases Prepared Against Suspect
Following standard procedure after the operation, police are now preparing to file formal charges. The case being built against John Michael Lopez is for violations of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
This law imposes severe penalties for the sale, possession, and distribution of illegal drugs. The successful operation highlights the continued collaboration between local police units and the PDEA in targeting high-value individuals within the drug trade network in Central Visayas.
