By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A barangay employee tagged as one of Northern Mindanao’s highest-priority drug personalities was arrested in a follow-up anti-drug operation after authorities recovered more than ₱1 million worth of suspected shabu, police said.
The 54-year-old suspect, identified only by the alias “Jojo,” was apprehended at around 6:41 p.m. on July 30 during a buy-bust operation in Berjaya, Barangay Camaman-an, according to the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10).
Police said the suspect, who is the brother of a barangay chairman in Cagayan de Oro City, is listed among the Top 10 Regional Priority Drug Targets for July.
Authorities said “Jojo” had eluded arrest during an earlier anti-drug operation on July 27 in Barangay 36, where operatives seized approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱3.4 million and arrested one of his alleged associates. Following his escape, intelligence operatives tracked his movements, leading to Thursday’s successful operation.
Recovered from the suspect were 14 plastic sachets containing about 160 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱1.088 million, a black sling bag, and the marked ₱1,000 buy-bust money used in the operation.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) with support from other local police units after days of surveillance.
Investigators are now tracing the source of the seized illegal drugs after the suspect allegedly refused to identify his supplier or reveal where the contraband originated.
PRO-10 Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano commended the operating teams for their persistence, saying the arrest underscores law enforcement’s determination to pursue high-value drug suspects.
“This arrest proves that fleeing from the authorities only delays justice—it does not prevent it,” Abrahano said.
The suspect is currently detained at the Maharlika Custodial Facility and faces charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Police said an additional charge under Section 5 of the law will also be filed against him in connection with the July 27 operation.
Authorities appealed to the public to continue reporting illegal drug activities as part of the government’s campaign to curb the narcotics trade across Northern Mindanao.
ia/xf
