Law enforcement authorities yesterday seized a large volume of illegal drugs during a buy-bust operation in Mindoro.

The joint operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Mimaropa Provincial Office, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG), and the Roxas Municipal Police Station (MPS) resulted in the seizure of approximately 2.25 kilograms of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) and the arrest of two men allegedly involved in a large-scale drug trafficking operation in Oriental Mindoro.

According to authorities, a PDEA agent was able to purchase approximately 250 grams of suspected shabu from the suspects along the Nautical Highway in Sitio Hamindang, Barangay Dangay, Roxas, at around 8:07 pm on Nov. 30, 2024.

A search of the vehicle yielded an additional two kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at around P6.7 million pesos, hidden in a paper bag with a “Merry Christmas” note.

The suspects, who were reportedly not from Oriental Mindoro, were apprehended while on board a red Toyota Vios with plate number NKK 3852.

The driver of the vehicle claimed that he was only hired to transport the car from Mindoro to the Visayas region and that his companion had hitched a ride at a gas station in Roxas.

The suspects are currently being detained at the PDEA office in Calapan City and will face charges.

Authorities are still investigating the ownership of the vehicle used in the drug trafficking.

Photo credit: Ugnayan Bayan Page