Philippine authorities have arrested OPM artist Hev Abi, whose real name is Gabriel Abilla, in a police operation in Quezon City. The 24-year-old rapper was taken into custody on Tuesday during "Oplan Paglalansag Omega" in Barangay Laging Handa, Diliman.
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), officers served a search warrant for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. During the raid, police confiscated a Taurus G3 9mm pistol, a magazine, 15 rounds of live ammunition, and various suspected illegal substances.
"Actually yung cocaine, yung white powder, positive 'yon. We are waiting for the other. But based on the result ng ibinigay sa atin ng Forensic Group, positive yung ating mga nahuli sa methamphetamine hydrochloride at tsaka marijuana," said CIDG–National Capital Region chief Police John Guiagui in a press briefing.
The seized items reportedly included 11 cartridges containing suspected liquid marijuana, four sealed transparent plastic bags with powder believed to be cocaine, and drug paraphernalia with suspected marijuana. Guiagui noted that while the search warrant focused on firearms, officers discovered illegal drugs during the operation.
Hev Abi rose to prominence in the Philippine music scene starting in 2020 with hit songs like "Alam Mo Ba Girl," "Babaero," and "Lil Kasalanan Shortie." In 2024, he performed his first major concert at New Frontier Theater titled "Morato Most Wanted." Authorities are awaiting further laboratory analysis of the evidence collected during the arrest.