‘Habal-Habal’ Driver Nabbed in Buy-Bust Operation, Firearm Seized in Samar

• A 24-year-old motorcycle-for-hire driver was arrested on July 4 in Hinabangan, Samar, during a buy-bust for allegedly selling illegal drugs.

Let Teña 1 week ago 1.6 K

Posted on July 14, 2026 at 8:00 am

HINABANGAN, Samar — A 24-year-old `habal-habal’ or a motorcycle-for-hire driver was arrested in a buy-bust operation on July 4, after police allegedly caught him selling illegal drugs in Barangay Rawis, Hinabangan, Samar.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Francis,” is a resident of Barangay San Jose, Hinabangan and was listed by police as a Street Level Individual (SLI).

Police said an undercover officer bought a sachet of suspected shabu worth ₱500 from the suspect during the operation at around 8:16 p.m. on July 11.

Following the arrest, officers recovered two more sachets containing suspected shabu, a firearm loaded with six rounds of ammunition, a piece of tin foil, and a motorcycle.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Hinabangan Municipal Police Station’s Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET), together with the Provincial Intelligence Unit and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Samar Police Provincial Office. The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 8 (PDEA-8).

The suspect remains in the custody of the Hinabangan Municipal Police Station while charges are being prepared for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Police said the investigation is continuing.

Photos by: Let Teña