Drug dealer from Davao del Sur entrapped in Basilan

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May 3, 2026 | 11:17am

COTABATO CITY — Combined agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, police officers, and local officials entrapped a shabu dealer from Davao del Sur province in Lamitan City, Basilan, on Friday, May 1.

Local officials and Muslim religious leaders actively supporting the government’s anti-narcotics campaign in Basilan said on Saturday that the suspect, Joesan Delos Reyes Sanchez, a resident of Malita, Davao del Sur, is now detained and will be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

They confirmed to reporters that Sanchez was arrested by agents of PDEA-BARMM and police officers from various units in Basilan under the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region after selling P34,000 worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sta. Clara, Lamitan City.

The PDEA-BARMM operation that led to Sanchez’s arrest, headed by agent Robert John Daquis with counterparts from nearby Isabela City under the agency’s Region 9 office, was based on reports from Lamitan City residents submitted to Mayor Roderick Furigay and barangay officials regarding his alleged drug-peddling activities in their communities.

Residents who assisted PDEA-BARMM agents and officials of the Basilan Provincial Police Office in planning the entrapment operation told reporters that Sanchez had relocated to Lamitan City from Malita, Davao del Sur, believing he could operate safely in the city’s 40 barangays.

They also reported to Furigay and other local officials that Sanchez moved to Lamitan City after more than 10 of his alleged accomplices in Davao del Sur, part of Region 11, were previously arrested in entrapment operations conducted by PDEA Region 11 agents and police units in recent years.

Officials of PDEA-BARMM and PRO-BAR’s newly installed acting regional director, Brig. Gen. Christopher Marcial Abecia, separately told reporters on Saturday that they appreciate the support of the Lamitan City government and barangay officials, which contributed to the successful entrapment operation and the confiscation of P34,000 worth of shabu from the suspect.