On the evening of May 1, 2025, authorities from the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 13 (PDEA 13) successfully apprehended two individuals during a buy-bust operation that resulted in the seizure of approximately Php1.7 Million worth of suspected shabu.
Police Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano, Regional Director of PRO 13, stated that the suspects—identified only by their aliases “Jibby,” 32, a glass installer from Barangay 1, Cabadbaran City; and “Jason,” 38, a driver from Barangay Doña Rosario, Tubay, were arrested during the operation conducted in Barangay Villa Kanangga, Butuan City.
The joint operation carried out by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) 13, the Butuan City Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit, and PDEA 13, followed a surveillance period initiated based on the information from a concerned local informant regarding the suspects’ alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
During the said buy-bust, the suspects sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover agent which led to their immediate arrest. Authorities subsequently confiscated 250 grams of shabu with an estimated standard drug price of Php1,700,000, along with various non-drug-related items.
Commending the operatives, PBGen Abrahano, emphasized the importance of community cooperation in their anti-drug campaigns, stating: “The suspects were placed under surveillance following a tip from a local informant that they were involved in illegal drug trade. This led to their successful arrest and the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal drugs.”
The arrested individuals were immediately placed under police custody and will face charges for violating Sections 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
With the said accomplishment, PRO 13 fortifies its commitment towards the effective implementation of an intensified yet bloodless campaign against illegal drugs, encouraging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their respective communities.
