Delivery rider nabbed with P1 million worth of shabu

A delivery rider was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City on July 22, 2026.

In a "Balitanghali" report by Jomer Apresto on Friday, authorities identified the man as the alleged drug supplier to individuals previously caught in prior operations.

The police confiscated 150 grams of suspected crystal met or shabu worth more than P1 million and one .45 caliber firearm.

“Itong suspek, lumalabas sa aming investigation na isa siya sa mga source diyan sa Taguig pero ang item, ang shabu, within SPD (Southern Police District)-wide, ibig sabihin kung saan-saan nakakarating yung kanilang… paninda,” SPD-Drug Enforcement Unit Officer in Charge P/Maj. Cecilio Tomas Jr. said.

(Based on our investigation, this suspect appears to be one of the sources in Taguig. However, the item—the shabu—reaches throughout the SPD. This means their... merchandise ends up everywhere.)

The police studied the target for more than two weeks before baiting them with P50,000 in boodle money. During the operation, the suspect reportedly attempted to escape.

“Pinipilit niyang kunin ‘yung baril niya pero siyempre… bago namin siya hulihin, pinag-aralan namin kung papaano siya… makukuha nang walang nangyayaring hindi maganda,” Tomas said,

(He was trying to get his gun, but before we did the operation, we planned how we could arrest him without harming him.)

Authorities said it is possible that the suspect was trading illegal drugs while doing his job as a delivery rider.

“Kasi may mga transaksyon siya na bank transaction… sa kaniya ‘yung bayad, at saka niya i-de-deliver. Sa tingin namin, talagang drugs ang kanyang hanapbuhay,” Tomas said.

(Because he has bank transactions… the payment goes directly to him, and then he delivers the goods. We really believe that dealing drugs is his main line of work.)

The suspect’s confiscated firearm has undergone a ballistics examination to identify if the gun has already been used.

The suspect is now in the custodial facility of the Taguig City Police and will face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

GMA News is trying to get a statement from the suspect. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LDF, GMA News