1.17-M Worth of Suspected Shabu Seized, Two High-Value Drug Suspects Arrested in Tacloban

Posted on July 23, 2026 at 3:35 am

TACLOBAN CITY — Two men tagged by authorities as high-value drug suspects were arrested after police and anti-drug operatives seized more than P1.17 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 110, Utap, early Thursday.

The suspects, identified only by their aliases “Joseph,” 48, a driver from MacArthur, Leyte, and “Jess,” 30, an unemployed resident of Quezon City, were arrested in an operation carried out by joint teams from the Police Regional Office-8, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Tacloban City Police Station 2.

Recovered from the suspects were three heat-sealed plastic sachets and a knot-tied plastic cellophane containing around 173 grams of suspected shabu. The confiscated drugs have an estimated street value of P1,176,400, based on the valuation of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Police investigators said the seized items were immediately marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of witnesses, following procedures required under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas, said the operation was part of the continuing campaign against illegal drugs in the region.

“We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations to ensure that those engaged in the illegal drug trade are brought before the law,” Capoy said in a statement.

The two suspects remain in police custody as authorities prepare charges for alleged violations of the anti-drug law.

The latest operation adds to a series of anti-drug efforts in Tacloban City, where police have continued to target individuals believed to be involved in the illegal drug trade.

Photo credits: PRO8