CALABARZON, Philippines — Fourteen suspected drug offenders were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Rizal and Cavite, with authorities recovering suspected shabu and other substances, including suspected ecstasy, marijuana, ketamine and liquid ecstasy.
The two operations, conducted over the weekend, highlight continuing anti-drug enforcement efforts in CALABARZON as investigators work to determine the source of the confiscated substances and identify other people who may allegedly be connected to their distribution.
Four Arrested in Teresa, Rizal
In Teresa, Rizal, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and police operatives arrested four alleged drug traffickers during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bagumbayan on Saturday, August 29.
Authorities said approximately 100 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated value of P680,000, were recovered along with drug paraphernalia.
Additional reporting identified the operation as a joint effort involving the PDEA Rizal Provincial Office and police intelligence personnel. The suspects are facing allegations under provisions of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
10 More Arrested in Imus, Cavite
A separate operation the following morning led to the arrest of 10 more suspects in Barangay Palico I, Imus City, Cavite.
According to authorities, PDEA personnel and members of the Cavite Maritime Police conducted the operation at around 10 a.m. Reports from other news outlets said the operation took place at a location in Villa Calla.
Operatives recovered 106 capsules of suspected ecstasy, estimated at P180,200, along with suspected kush valued at P7,500, suspected ketamine worth P5,000 and suspected liquid ecstasy valued at P4,200.
The combined estimated value of the suspected drugs was about P196,900, based on figures released by authorities. Investigators also recovered mobile phones, drug paraphernalia and other items that may be examined as part of the investigation.
Investigators Now Trace the Source
The arrests may have ended the immediate operations, but investigators still have a bigger question to answer: Where did the suspected drugs come from, and are other individuals involved?
PDEA offices in Rizal and Cavite are conducting further investigations to trace the source of the confiscated substances and identify possible additional individuals connected to the alleged drug activities, according to the original report.
The 14 suspects, whose identities were not disclosed in the INQUIRER.net report, are expected to face cases involving alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165. The filing and final disposition of any criminal cases remain subject to the country’s judicial process.
CALABARZON Remains Under the Spotlight
The latest arrests come amid a series of recent anti-drug operations in Rizal and Cavite.
Earlier in August, authorities reported separate drug seizures in Imus, Dasmariñas and other parts of the region, including a reported P3.4-million suspected shabu haul in Imus and a P1.5-million suspected kush seizure in Binangonan, Rizal. These incidents provide broader context to the continued enforcement activity in the area but are separate cases from the latest operations.
Nationwide, the PDEA reported that authorities arrested 4,426 drug suspects and seized an estimated P1.10 billion worth of illegal drugs in July 2026, underscoring the scale of ongoing anti-drug operations across the country.
As the Rizal and Cavite investigations continue, authorities are expected to focus not only on the evidence recovered during the operations but also on determining whether wider networks may be involved.
The arrests are only the beginning of the investigation—and the next question is whether authorities can uncover who may be behind the supply chain.
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