PATIKUL, Sulu – Eight male suspects, including a high-value drug target, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Langhub, Patikul, Sulu, around 7:30 PM on October 2, 2025.
The joint operation was carried out by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Sulu, Patikul Municipal Police Station, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 9, Special Action Force (SAF), Sulu Police Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 9, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the 35th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Authorities seized around 21 grams of suspected shabu worth P142,800.00, a caliber .45 pistol, and 28 rounds of live ammunition.
The suspects were residents of Patikul and Talipao and were brought to PDEA-Sulu for documentation and filing of charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
Police Brigadier General Eleazar P. Matta, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 9, commended the joint forces for the successful operation.
“The arrest of these individuals, particularly a high-value target, shows our firm resolve to eliminate illegal drugs in Sulu,” PBGen Matta said.
The Police Regional Office 9 reiterated its commitment to sustained anti-drug operations in coordination with other law enforcement units.