Tacloban drug sting nets P9.7 million worth of shabu, one arrest

Authorities in Tacloban City arrest a suspect and confiscate shabu (crystal meth) valued at P9.7 million in a buy-bust operation along Magsaysay Boulevard in Barangay 25 on Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo from PDEA)

MANILA, Philippines — A buy-bust operation by the Tacloban City Police Office led to the seizure of shabu (crystal meth) worth P9.7 million and the arrest of one suspect.

According to a report by the Tacloban police released Thursday morning, the operation took place at 10:22 p.m. along Magsaysay Boulevard in Barangay 25.

READ: Top drug suspect in Tacloban nabbed

The suspect was identified as “Budoy,” a 37-year-old construction worker and resident of Barangay Mazawalo Poblacion in Palompon town, Leyte province.

According to the Tacloban police, 1.1 kilograms of shabu were confiscated during the operation, but the actual weight and value of the illegal drugs have yet to be determined by the Eastern Visayas Regional Forensic Unit of the Philippine National Police.

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READ: High-value drug suspects arrested in Quezon City, Tacloban

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A report from the Tacloban City office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the suspect was also found with one 9mm pistol and one magazine loaded with four live ammunition.

The suspect will be charged with violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act and the Commission on Elections gun ban.

“This achievement is a significant step in our ongoing fight against crime and drug abuse,” Tacloban City Police Office Director Col. Noelito Getigan said in a statement.