BARMM cops seize P1.7-M worth of shabu from courier

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January 19, 2026 | 6:56pm

COTABATO CITY — Policemen and soldiers seized P1.7 million worth of shabu from a 26-year-old man who was waiting for a vehicle along a highway in Barangay Tunggol, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur, on Saturday night, January 17.

Municipal and barangay officials said the now-detained suspect, Malik Tangkli Lamalan, also sold marijuana in remote villages in Datu Montawal and Pagalungan in Maguindanao del Sur, as well as in Pikit, Cotabato province.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters on Monday that Lamalan is now in police custody and will be prosecuted for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Lamalan was immediately arrested by patrolling operatives from various PRO-BAR units, personnel of the Datu Montawal Municipal Police Station, and soldiers from the 602nd Infantry Brigade after he attempted to flee as they approached.

De Guzman said Datu Montawal police chief Capt. Nurjhasier Sali and his investigating officers found that the suspect was in possession of a small package tightly wrapped in brown packing tape containing 262 grams of shabu valued at P1.7 million.

The combined police-Army highway protection patrol team also confiscated an unlicensed .38-caliber revolver from Lamalan.

Local officials and traditional Moro datus in the adjoining towns of Datu Montawal and Pagalungan in Maguindanao del Sur said confidential tipsters reported that Lamalan was supposed to deliver the shabu seized from him to a contact in Kabacan, Cotabato province.