The PHP20 million worth of shabu confiscated from a village councilor in Barangay Tulay, Jolo, Sulu during a drug bust on Thursday (Oct. 10, 2024). (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY – Anti-narcotics agents intercepted a village councilor in Jolo, Sulu during a drug bust on Thursday, seizing PHP20 million worth of shabu.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Gil Cesario Castro of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said 46-year-old “Yusop” of Barangay Lakit, Panamao, Sulu was caught in Barangay Tulay after selling drugs to a poseur buyer.
An accomplice fled after realizing they were dealing with undercover agents.
Authorities recovered three vacuum-sealed packages of shabu weighing around three kilograms, along with the buy-bust money, mobile phones and a motorcycle.
Yusop, a high-value target, remained in custody awaiting charges under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Since January, over PHP100 million worth of shabu has been confiscated in BARMM.
On Sept. 12 also in Jolo, authorities seized PHP13.6 million worth of shabu from a police officer and three others during an operation.
A police officer and three companions were likewise nabbed eight days earlier in Barangay Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, with shabu worth PHP68,000. (PNA)
