DRUG HAUL. A government anti-drug operative accounts for the confiscated shabu items worth PHP34 million following an anti-drug operation in Zamboanga City on Tuesday (May 12, 2026). Three suspected drug dealers were arrested in the same operation. (Photo courtesy of RDEU-9)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested three persons and seized some PHP34 million worth of illegal drugs in this city on Tuesday, the police said.
Arrested were “Kasmir,” 32, of Barangay Talon-Talon, this city; “Adong,” 32, of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and “Ardison,” 40, of Jolo, Sulu. In a report on Wednesday,
Col. Narciso Paragas, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office in the Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9), said the suspects were arrested during a buy-bust operation around 4:30 p.m. in the basement parking lot of a local mall in Barangay Zone 4 here.
“Operatives from different police units successfully conducted a joint anti-illegal drug buy-bust operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects,” Paragas said in his report.
Seized from the suspects were five kilograms of suspected shabu packed in five vacuum-sealed plastic bags, buy-bust money, a pickup truck and other pieces of non-drug evidence.
The operatives noted the plastic bags containing the suspected shabu bore a ‘666’ numerical marking.
The suspects are currently detained while charges are being readied to be filed against them for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Further investigation is being conducted to determine the extent of the suspects’ operations, as well as their links to other groups engaged in the illegal drug trade. (PNA)