By Edwin Fernandez

SEIZED DRUGS. Police operatives conduct an accounting of the illegal stuff and boodle money used in the entrapment operation against two big-time drug peddlers in Picong, Lanao del Sur, on Monday, March 9, 2026. Seized from the suspects were shabu items with a street value of PHP20.7 million. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BAR)

COTABATO CITY – Authorities arrested two businessmen on Monday and confiscated over PHP20.7 million worth of illegal drugs in Picong, Lanao del Sur, police said Tuesday.

In a report, Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the drug sting operation was conducted on Monday morning along the national highway in Barangay Maladig of Picong town in the province.

He only identified the two arrested high-value targets as “Alias Ben” from General Trias, Cavite and “Alias Markie,” a resident of Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte.

Seized from them were 3,054 grams of suspected shabu, estimated to be worth PHP20,767,200, genuine buy-bust money amounting to PHP500,000, two mobile phones and a Toyota sport utility vehicle (licensed plate NDB-6952).

“The suspects agreed to sell PHP500,000 worth of illegal drugs to a poseur buyer, a police undercover agent,” the police official said.

As soon as the handover of the illegal stuff and the buy-bust money, police officers on board civilian vehicles arrived and arrested the suspects.

De Guzman lauded the operating units and their partner agencies for their swift and decisive action, which reflects their dedication and professionalism in the performance of their duty. (PNA)