Mabalacat city: Law enforcement authorities seized a large cache of marijuana-based products during a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of three high-value individuals (HVIs) in Barangay Bical, Mabalacat City, on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the afternoon operation was launched by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) of the Mabalacat City Police Station at around 2:52 p.m. and resulted in the arrest of suspects identified by their aliases 'Jek-Jek,' 'Josh,' and 'Ana,' all residents of Pampanga and Angeles City.

Confiscated during the operation were 2 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves, 520 grams of suspected "kush," 218 marijuana-laced vape cartridges, and 19 vials of marijuana oil, police said in a statement. The combined estimated street value of these items exceeded PHP2 million, with the dried marijuana leaves valued at PHP240,000, "kush" at PHP858,000, vape cartridges at PHP872,000, and marijuana oil at PHP30,000.

'This operation reveals how the illegal drug trade is changing. We are now seeing a market that leans toward processed and consumable cannabis products," Police Regional Office-3 (PRO-3) director, Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Ibasco Pe±ones Jr., was quoted as saying. Pe±ones noted that while traditional dried marijuana remains a concern, authorities have observed the increasing presence of processed cannabis products, including vape cartridges and marijuana oils, indicating a shift toward more discreet and high-end forms of drug consumption.

He stated that the diversity of marijuana-based items recovered suggests an evolving distribution model targeting younger, urban clientele through more 'sophisticated' drug products. Police said the suspects and confiscated items are now in the custody of Mabalacat CPS, while charges are being prepared for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165).