(PRO-8 FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities in Eastern Visayas capped Christmas Eve with a major anti-drug operation after police arrested a high-value drug suspect and confiscated more than P2 million worth of suspected shabu and multiple firearms in a coordinated raid in Dulag, Leyte.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Danny,” 40, an unemployed resident of Barangay San Isidro, Dulag, was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted at around 11:27 p.m. on December 24, 2025 in Barangay San Jose. Police said the suspect is considered a high-value individual (HVI) due to the volume of illegal drugs allegedly being traded.
Operatives seized about 299.2 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P2,034,560, as well as firearms, ammunition, magazines, and assorted drug paraphernalia.
The operation was led by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Leyte Police Provincial Office, with support from the Dulag Municipal Police Station–Station Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 8, Regional Special Operations Group 8, and the 1st Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Police said the arrest came after the suspect allegedly sold two sachets of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, yielded additional heat-sealed and knot-tied sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money consisting of both genuine and marked bills, three weighing scales, a wallet containing identification cards, a backpack, and a Honda XRM motorcycle believed to have been used in drug transactions.
Authorities also recovered three firearms, including a Colt .45 caliber pistol with one magazine and seven rounds of ammunition; a LLAMA 9mm pistol with two magazines and four rounds; and a Caspian 9mm pistol with two magazines. Several holsters were also confiscated.
PRO-8 Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy said the successful operation underscores the police force’s sustained campaign against illegal drugs and loose firearms, even during the holiday season.
“This operation proves that PRO-8 remains relentless in pursuing illegal drugs and criminality. The seizure of these drugs and firearms sends a clear message that the police are steadfast in protecting our communities,” Capoy said.
All seized items were properly marked, inventoried, and documented at the scene before being turned over to the Dulag Municipal Police Station for further investigation and case buildup.
Police are now preparing criminal complaints for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, to be filed before the Prosecutor’s Office.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
