𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑-𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐃𝐑𝐔𝐆 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇-𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐒𝐄𝐈𝐙𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝟖 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐔
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro commended joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 7, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), Naval Forces Central, and the Coast Guard Central District Office for an “excellent achievement” following the arrest of an alleged high-profile drug personality and the confiscation of an estimated eight kilos of suspected shabu worth P54.4 million.
The buy-bust operation was conducted past 11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Sitio Suba, Barangay Tuyan, City of Naga, Cebu.
“It has always been my stand against illegal drugs—there should be no illegal drug operations in the Province of Cebu. Ang akong directive nila is padayon sa pag-gukod aning mga illegal drug operators diri sa Probinsya sa Sugbo,” Gov. Baricuatro said.
The governor also issued a stern warning to drug traders.
“You know who you are. It will only be a matter of time. There will be a day of reckoning for you,” she said.
Baricuatro said she had been briefed on the extent of the illegal drug problem in the province, which reinforced her goal of activating the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to intensify inter-agency coordination among law enforcers in the campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.
“We already started the peace and order council in the province because illegal drugs affect the future of our youth. Unsa naman la’y mahitabo sa Probinsya sa Sugbo kon daghan kaayo’g mga drug addicts dinhi? I am glad that we now have good coordination with the CPPO, PDEA and other agencies. Our plan is to continue strengthening inter-agency coordination to go after illegal drugs in the province,” the governor said.
PDEA-7 Regional Director Joel B. Plaza identified the primary target as alias Clifford, 47, a driver and a resident of South Poblacion, City of Naga.
The operation also led to the arrest of Clifford’s three alleged companions: Maricel, 39, unemployed, of Barangay Tuyan, Naga City; alias Joseph, 52, a driver, of Barangay Looc, Mandaue City; and alias Barbara, 29, an online seller, of Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City.
Seized during the operation were eight packs of suspected shabu weighing about 8,000 grams, with an estimated market value of P54.4 million; buy-bust money; several ATM and identification cards; seven cellular phones; and a four-wheel motor vehicle.
The sale of dangerous drugs, regardless of quantity, is a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
‘𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿’
In a press conference at the PDEA-7 headquarters, Acting Assistant Regional Director Thessa Tiuzen, Investigation Agent V, classified Clifford as a “national wholesaler” who allegedly sources illegal drugs from Metro Manila and Mindanao.
Tiuzen said Clifford is a listed drug personality of both the Philippine National Police and PDEA. His alleged areas of distribution include Cebu, Bohol and parts of Negros Oriental.
CPPO Director Col. Abubakar Mangelen Jr. said the arrested individuals are members of an organized but independent group identified by PDEA-7. He added that follow-up operations are ongoing to further dismantle the group’s operations.
Mangelen also said Clifford had a previous drug-related arrest in Cebu.
On the possibility that the seized drugs were intended for distribution during the Sinulog celebrations, Mangelen said this could not be discounted given the volume of drugs recovered. However, he assured the public that police and other law enforcement agencies are implementing the directive of PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to sustain the intensified campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.
Mangelen and Tiuzen said monitoring of port areas across the province has been intensified in coordination with Naval Forces Central, noting that ports may be used as transshipment points for illegal drugs.
“That’s why we really need to intensify our inter-agency efforts and task forces,” Tiuzen said. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝑹𝑱, 𝑷𝑫𝑬𝑨 7
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