An incumbent barangay captain and his companion were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on the night of Dec. 15 in Barangay Roxas, Sulop, Davao del Sur authorities said.
Operatives from the Davao del Sur Provincial Office of PDEA Regional Office 11, working with the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and the Sulop Municipal Police Station, carried out the operation.
The barangay captain, identified only by the alias “Kap,” 36, was arrested after allegedly selling a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu worth ₱8,000 to a PDEA operative who acted as a poseur-buyer, according to PDEA.
His companion, identified by the alias “Dionisio,” was also arrested during the operation.
Authorities said four additional heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu were seized from the suspects. The illegal drugs reportedly weighed about 23 grams and had an estimated street value of ₱156,400.
Also recovered was the marked buy-bust money used in the operation, PDEA said.
The suspects were immediately taken into custody and are now detained at the PDEA Regional Office 11.
They will face charges for violations of Section 5, or the sale of dangerous drugs, and Section 11, or possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal drug trade in the province.
No further details were released as of Tuesday.
