In a series of successful anti-drug operations over the weekend, authorities in Zamboanga Peninsula apprehended three high-value targets and confiscated PHP23.1 million worth of illegal drugs. The operations, conducted by the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit 9 (PDEG-SOU-9) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), targeted individuals deeply involved in the drug trade across the region.
The first suspect, alias Darwin, a 42-year-old driver from Barangay Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City, was arrested at around 12:20 p.m. on Saturday during a buy-bust operation at the corner of Rizal and Osmeña Streets in Barangay Central, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. Authorities seized three kilograms of suspected shabu valued at PHP20.4 million, along with a car, a mobile phone, buy-bust money, and a bag from Darwin, who had been under extensive surveillance.
In a separate operation on Friday evening, alias Sahil, a 42-year-old fisherman from Barangay Parol, Tongkil, Sulu, and alias Amil, a 40-year-old truck operator from Governor Camins Avenue, Zamboanga City, were arrested at 7:30 p.m. along Zaragoza Street, Barangay Zone 4, approximately 400 meters from the city hall. The authorities recovered 400 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP2.7 million, packed in eight heat-sealed plastic sachets, along with a mobile phone, a coin purse, buy-bust and boodle money, and other drug paraphernalia from the two suspects.
The PDEG emphasized that these successful operations underscore their ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks and target high-value individuals involved in the illegal drug trade in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The arrested suspects are currently in police custody and are facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. This marks the third major drug bust in Zamboanga City this year, following the arrest of alias Esmon on January 8 with 250 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.7 million.