Suspect Falls in Buy-Bust After Two-Month Police Monitoring

Posted on Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:33 am

CAPOOCAN. Leyte — A 60-year-old farmer was apprehended in a buy-bust operation on the evening of Friday, March 20, 2026, following a two-month surveillance conducted by the joint anti-drug task force in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2.

The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RPDEU-8), in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Special Enforcement Team and the Special Operations Unit 8, executed the operation at around 8:00 p.m., resulting in the apprehension of a suspect known as alias “Bobong.”

According to PLt. Ervin John Gabol, the team leader of RPDEU-8, the suspect had been under surveillance for nearly two months, with increased monitoring in the week leading up to the operation to ensure its success.

“This operation is the result of careful planning and extensive surveillance. We closely monitored the suspect’s activities for almost two months, with a heightened focus in the week prior to the buy-bust, said Lt. Gabol.

During the operation, an undercover police officer purchased a sachet of suspected shabu worth P15,000 from the suspect, leading to his immediate arrest.

Authorities confiscated two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, weighing around 17 grams with an estimated street value of P115,600. The seized substances underwent testing at the PDEA crime laboratory, confirming the presence of illegal drugs.

In addition to the drugs, law enforcement recovered various non-drug items from the suspect, including a black sling bag used to conceal the contraband, a knife, a coin purse, a scooper, an improvised tooter, and multiple keys. Cash amounting to P3,500, believed to be the suspect’s personal funds, was seized along with marked and boodle money used in the operation, including several P1,000 bills and a marked P500 bill. A subscriber’s money bearing serial number DH 973943 was also documented. The suspect’s vehicle, with plate number HEC 4107, was impounded.

The suspect is currently facing charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, which prohibit the sale and possession of illegal drugs. He is being held at the Capoocan Municipal Police Station lock-up facility.

Authorities emphasized that the successful operation underscores their commitment to combating illegal drug activities in the area.

“This should serve as a warning that we are closely monitoring individuals involved in illegal drug activities. We will continue to pursue these operations to ensure the safety of our communities,” Gabol emphasized.

The operation reflects the ongoing anti-drug initiatives in Leyte, as law enforcement agencies enhance coordination and intelligence gathering to address illegal drug activities at the grassroots level.

(Photo by: Ronnie Yanuario)