ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Police Regional Office 9, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), arrested three individuals and seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱10.2 million in two separate buy-bust operations conducted in Zamboanga City and Sulu on September 20 – 21.
PBGen.Elmer Ragay, regional director said, joint drug buy-bust operation was conducted at Purok 1, Bypass Road, Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City, resulting in the arrest of a 49-year-old male, and resident of HB Homes, Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City, on Setember 20.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, together with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 9, and operatives from the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao, PNP Drug Enforcement Group 9, 1st Special Operations Unit, Maritime Group, 904th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, Zamboanga City Maritime Police Station, Special Action Force, and Zamboanga City Police Station (ZCPS) 8.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, including the buy-bust item, weighing approximately 1,000 grams with an estimated SDP of ₱6.8 million.
The confiscated illegal drugs will be turnover to the Regional Forensic Unit for laboratory examination, while the arrested suspect was brought to the detention facility of Zamboanga City Police Station 8 for proper disposition.
In Sulu,personnel of the Indanan Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Sulu and PDEA 9, conducted another buy-bust operation in Kilometer 2, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu, on September 21.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals, including a 34-year-old male Individual and a 37-year-old female, both identified as a High-Value Individual.
Authorities also confiscated ten heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, including the buy-bust items, with a total weight of approximately 500 grams and an estimated SDP of ₱3.4 million.
The arrested suspects and confiscated items were brought to Indanan MPS for proper documentation and disposition. The seized substances will be submitted to RFU 9 for laboratory examination, while the suspects remain under police custody pending the filing of appropriate charges before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
“These accomplishments demonstrate the dedication, vigilance, and strong collaboration of our police units and partner agencies in the fight against illegal drugs. The seizure of approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected shabu prevented a significant volume of dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said General Ragay
PRO 9 remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt the illegal drug trade through intelligence-led operations and close coordination with partner agencies, while ensuring that every action is grounded in the rule of law.
Guided by the Chief, PNP mantra, “Sa Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
