In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, law enforcement agencies in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have apprehended five individuals, including a married couple, and confiscated approximately P6.9 million worth of illegal drugs in separate operations conducted on Sunday, April 12, and Monday, April 13, 2026. The suspects, identified as high-value individuals (HVIs), were captured in coordinated buy-bust missions that targeted drug distribution networks in the region.
Couple Arrested in Sultan Kudarat with P6.8M Shabu
Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), reported that the couple, known by their aliases Usop, 33, and Gemma, 28, was arrested during a buy-bust operation around 4:50 p.m. on Monday, April 13, in Purok Sentro, Limbo village, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. Authorities seized from the suspects approximately one kilogram of suspected shabu, valued at P6.8 million, along with five bundles of boodle money topped with a genuine marked bill, a 9-millimeter pistol, and three rounds of ammunition.
General De Guzman praised the operating units for their well-coordinated and successful efforts, emphasizing the importance of such operations in the fight against illegal drugs. He reiterated the firm resolve of law enforcement to sustain aggressive anti-drug campaigns, supporting the government's broader initiative to eradicate drug proliferation and maintain peace and order throughout the Bangsamoro region.
Drug Den Dismantled in Cotabato City
In a separate operation on Sunday, April 12, three additional suspects—identified by their aliases Nhots, 56; Jack, 49; and Toten, 45—were arrested in a buy-bust operation that led to the dismantling of a drug den in Poblacion 1 village, Cotabato City. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in BARMM (PDEA-BARMM) disclosed that seized from the trio were about 25 grams of suspected shabu, packed in 15 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets with an estimated street value of P170,000. Other items confiscated included a mobile phone, buy-bust money, an identification card, and various illegal drug paraphernalia.
PDEA-BARMM confirmed that the arrest of these three suspects was part of an anti-drug operation launched with the support of police operatives, highlighting the collaborative efforts between agencies to combat drug-related activities in the area.
Legal Proceedings and Detention
All five arrested suspects, from both the Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City operations, are currently detained as authorities prepare to file charges against them for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This legal action underscores the ongoing commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in the illegal drug trade, aiming to deter future offenses and safeguard community safety.
The successful operations reflect a continued push by law enforcement in the Bangsamoro region to address drug trafficking, with these arrests marking a significant step in disrupting local narcotics networks and reinforcing public security measures.
