Authorities seized nearly P7 million worth of suspected shabu from the house of a businessman who was arrested along with a female companion at a checkpoint in Davao City.

The 51-year-old suspect and his companion were placed under police custody after suspected shabu worth nearly P500,000 and unlicensed gun were confiscated from them at a checkpoint manned by the Task Force Davao in Barangay Sirawan, Toril on July 1, 2024.

The suspect reportedly told the police he was keeping more illegal drugs at his house, prompting authorities to launch an operation.

The suspect reportedly told the police that the items from Manila would be picked up in Cagayan de Oro and would be distributed in Davao Region.

“Sa pagtatanong natin sa kanya, ay itong item na ito ay nanggagaling sa Manila to Cagayan. Sa Cagayan, pipick up-in niya. So, ang gagawin niya siya ang magdidistribute dito sa Davao Region,” Toril Police Station Chief, Captain Francisco Catabas Jr., said.

Police has already filed possession of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms charges against the suspects. The prosecutor will also check the additional charges to be filed against the businessman following the confiscation of nearly P7 million worth of suspected shabu.

“Masasabi natin na malaki ang naging epekto nito kasi isang kilo ito, maraming sisiraing kabataan kung ito ay napawalan o nadistribute ito sa ating komunidad,” Catabas added.

Authorities are also investigating the source of the illegal drugs.

In Misamis Oriental, a man was arrested with nearly P500,000 worth of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia in a raid in El Salvador City.

The 40-year-old suspect considered to be a high value individual in the illegal drug trade was arrested by virtue of a search warrant.

“Usa ni siya sa distributor diri sa El Salvador City gani sa atong mga nadakpan na sa mga buy-bust ug search warrant na gihimo sa El Salvador City na link iyang ngalan siya ginatudlo,” El Salvador City Police Chief, Lt. Col. Patrick Dalangin, said.

The suspect reportedly admitted that he has been selling drugs since 2001. However, he claimed that not all items confiscated from his house belongs to him.

“Sa ako sir tinuod pero naay nadugang lang. Ang naa sa ako sir mga 25 ka gramo ang uban wala na,” the suspect said.

The suspect is facing drug charges.

(With reports from James Paolo Yap, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)