High-Value Drug Suspect Arrested in Tacloban Buy-Bust; Alleged Shabu Worth P47K Seized

• A suspected high-value drug personality, alias “Dexter,” 35, was arrested in a Tacloban City buy-bust on May 19 following a P47,000 seizure of alleged shabu.

Ronnie Yanuario 18 hours ago 5.7 K

Posted on May 21, 2026 at 9:52 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — A suspected high-value drug personality was arrested during a late-night buy-bust operation in Tacloban City on Monday, May 19, after what was supposed to be a P1,000 drug transaction.

The arrested individual, identified as alias ‘Dexter’, 35 years old from San Jose, Tacloban City, had been under surveillance for months for his alleged involvement in the local illegal drug trade.

The operation, conducted by operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Tacloban City Office, the Regional Special Enforcement Team, the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, and personnel from Tacloban City Police Station 1, took place at around 9:02 p.m.

Authorities moved in after receiving intelligence information that the suspect was actively selling illegal drugs despite intensified anti-drug operations in Eastern Visayas.

During the operation, an undercover operative purchased a sachet of suspected shabu from the suspect using marked money worth P1,000. Dexter was immediately arrested after the transaction, and a body search led to the discovery of six more sachets containing suspected shabu. The confiscated drugs weighed around 10.5 grams with an estimated street value of P47,250.
The marked P1,000 bill with serial number AN7984217 used in the transaction and an olive-green pouch believed to have been used to store the illegal substances, were also recovered during the operation.

Authorities described the arrest as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug activities in Tacloban City and nearby areas. ‘Dexter’ is currently detained at the PDEA Regional Office VIII facility, facing charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165.

Authorities are investigating whether the suspect has connections to a larger drug distribution network in Eastern Visayas.

PDEA officials urged the public to report any suspicious drug-related activities in their communities as anti-drug operations continue in the region.

Photos by: Ronnie Yanuario