A habal-habal driver was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station on Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Police identified the suspect as Lolo Sakilan Ali, who was caught carrying 10 jumbo packs of suspected shabu worth P3.4 million. The arrest followed weeks of surveillance, according to Police Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, chief of the Sultan Kudarat Police Station.
Authorities said the drugs were sourced from another town in Maguindanao del Norte. Ali, who claimed he was unaware of the contents of his delivery, said, “I was just following instructions from a passenger.”
The operation also seized the suspect’s motorcycle, which was allegedly used for transporting the drugs. Ali now faces charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Lt. Col. Madin stressed the importance of the operation in dismantling drug networks in the region. “This is a significant blow to illegal drug trade in Maguindanao del Norte,” he added.
The suspect’s defense that he was unaware of the drugs highlights the controversial nature of how small-time individuals are often ensnared in larger narcotics operations.
