P4-M Shabu Seized, 7 Arrested in Cotabato Drug Operations

COTABATO CITY – Anti-narcotics operatives seized an estimated P4 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested seven individuals in two separate buy-bust operations in Cotabato City and Libungan town, Cotabato province on Monday. Lawyer Eugene Daniel Morcilla, regional investigator of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), said the operations were part of the agency's ongoing efforts to eradicate drug trafficking in the region, which is crucial for the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The first operation in Cotabato City resulted in the confiscation of suspected shabu worth P1.5 million from one suspect. The subsequent operation in Libungan town led to the arrest of six more individuals and the seizure of a larger quantity of drugs. PDEA is currently verifying the exact weight and value of the confiscated substances. These seizures underscore the persistent challenge of illegal drugs in the Philippines. The government has maintained its stance on a tough approach to drug eradication, although concerns regarding its effectiveness and human rights implications continue to be raised domestically and internationally. The Cotabato region has a history of complex security issues, including the presence of insurgent groups and the impact of prolonged conflict. Drug trafficking is often cited as a factor that can exacerbate such security challenges. These latest operations highlight the ongoing need for law enforcement to address the drug menace in areas striving for stability. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo