By Alexander Lopez

HIGH-VALUE ARREST. Butuan City police arrest Barangay Masao Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson “Kenth” and companion “Baki” in a drug buy-bust at a local inn in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte on Thursday (April 24, 2025). Authorities seized around 25 grams of shabu valued at PHP170,000. (Photo courtesy of BCPO)

BUTUAN CITY – A Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson was apprehended by police along with a companion during a drug buy-bust at a roadside inn in this city on Thursday night.

The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) reported on Friday that “Kenth,” 21, the SK chair of Barangay Masao, and “Baki,” 34, from Barangay San Ignacio, were arrested in the sting operation.

The BCPO identified both suspects as high-value individuals (HVIs) on the local drug watchlist.

The SK is the youth council of communities with officials aged 18 to 24 and elected by voters aged 15 to 30.

Authorities confiscated nine sachets of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 25 grams and with an estimated street value of PHP170,000

“The arrest of these HVIs, including the barangay official, demonstrates that the law is applied equally to everyone, regardless of their position in the community,” BCPO chief Col. Rommel Villamor said in his report.

He urged residents of Butuan to continue their support for the BCPO in their ongoing efforts to combat the illegal drug trade. (PNA)