ZAMBOANGA. Law enforcement authorities arrested a regional target-listed suspect during a buy-bust operation on May 1, 2026, in Sta. Clara village, Lamitan City, Basilan province, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
The PDEA in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) identified the suspect as alias Joesan, 39, a resident of Lamitan City, Basilan. The operation was conducted with the support of military and police forces.
Seized from Joesan were approximately five grams of suspected shabu, packed in 14 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, with an estimated street value of P34,000. Non-drug evidence included a leatherette brown zipper-locked card holder and a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money.
The PDEA-BARMM stated that Joesan is involved in the illegal drug trade in other towns within Basilan province. The suspect will be charged with violation of Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which covers the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs.
This operation highlights the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat illegal drugs in the region, with inter-agency cooperation between PDEA, military, and police forces.
