By Sam Ramos
Officers of the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency Sulu Provincial Office confiscated PhP20.4 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and arrested a former barangay chairman during a buy-bust operation on November 22, 2024.
The operation took place at 6:00 p.m. in Barangay Tulay, Jolo, Sulu, and led to the arrest of Sali Salim Tating, also known as Kael, 58 years old, and Sherwin Hapasain Talib, 39 years old, a former barangay chairman. Wilnor Abduhalim, also known as Hadji, managed to evade arrest after sensing the presence of law enforcement operatives.
Recovered from the suspects were three golden packs containing refined Chinese tea bags, labeled GUAN YIN WANG, with Chinese characters. These bags contained a white crystalline substance that is believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), weighing approximately three kilograms, with an estimated value of ₱20,400,000.00. Authorities also seized buy-bust money, two mobile phones, and various identification cards from the arrested suspects.
The arrested individuals are currently in the custody of the Jolo Municipal Police Station in Sulu, awaiting inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The successful operation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, including the 5th Special Action Battalion, Special Action Company Special Action Force, Sulu Police Provincial Office (SPPO), National Intelligence Central Agency Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (NICA BARMM), Jolo Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit IX (RIU IX), 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC), 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd PMFC), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group IX (CIDG IX), and the Sulu Maritime Group.