Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) arrested a drug peddler in Pahamuddin town of the BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA) in North Cotabato on Tuesday, seizing shabu, two firearms, and a grenade.
In a statement released on Wednesday, PDEA-BARMM Director Gil Cesario Castro described the operation as “hitting two birds with one stone.” He noted, “The suspect is a notorious drug pusher and at the same time an illegal gun holder.”
Acting on a tip-off, PDEA agents, in coordination with soldiers from the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion, conducted a buy-bust operation at the suspect’s residence in Barangay Balacayon, Pahamuddin. During the operation, the suspect, identified by the alias “Mascod,” was apprehended, and illegal drugs and weapons were recovered.
The authorities seized five grams of shabu with a street value of PHP34,000, the buy-bust money, shabu paraphernalia, a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, an MK2 hand grenade, and ammunition.
“We will continue working with other security sectors to ensure our people, especially the youth, are free from the influence of those in the illegal drug network,” Castro stated.
The suspect is now facing charges for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), and RA 9516, which amends Presidential Decree No. 1866 to strengthen laws against illegal possession of firearms and explosive devices.