ORMOC CITY— Four individuals were arrested and a drug den was dismantled after operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 8 seized more than P1 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Atabay,Hilongos, Leyte on the evening of January 19, 2026.
The operation was spearheaded by the PDEA Region 8–Southern Leyte Provincial Office, with support from the PDEA Region 8–Leyte Provincial Office, the Provincial Intelligence Team (PIT) Southern Leyte/Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 8, and the Hilongos Municipal Police Station.
PDEA said the buy-bust operation was carried out at around 10:19 p.m., resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of illegal drugs and other evidence.
The suspects were identified as alias “Tolits,” 56, alleged maintainer of the drug den; alias “Karding,” 60, visitor; alias “Karla,” 26, visitor; and alias “Boying,” 25, identified as a drug den employee.
Authorities seized a total of 148 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated street value of P1,006,400. The confiscated drugs included one heat-sealed plastic sachet containing 0.89 grams of suspected shabu as the subject of sale, and 27 sachets containing a combined 147.11 grams as the subject of possession.
Also recovered were various non-drug items allegedly used in illegal drug activities, including drug paraphernalia, buy-bust money, cash amounting to P362, a digital weighing scale, a cellular phone, and empty plastic sachets. Firearms were likewise seized, consisting of a .45 caliber pistol with a magazine and seven live rounds of ammunition, as well as a loaded improvised 12-gauge shotgun.
The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the operating units and will face charges for violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of firearms.
(ROBERT DEJON)
