Authorities arrested three high-value individuals (HVIs) in Barangay Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City, on Sunday, seizing approximately PHP605.2 million worth of suspected shabu. The suspects, identified by their aliases as Wang Yu, 53; John Michael, 27; and Alshareif, 41, were apprehended following a chase after evading a police checkpoint at around 7:47 a.m.
The Special Operations Unit-Zamboanga Peninsula (SOU-9) of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) conducted an intelligence-driven checkpoint operation. When the suspects tried to evade the checkpoint, a hot pursuit ensued, leading to their arrest.
Authorities confiscated about 89 kilos of suspected shabu packed in two tea bags and a coffee pack, along with a multi-purpose vehicle, a tricycle, and four ice chests.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso expressed concern over the city being used as a destination for large illegal drug shipments, saying, “Talagang sinusubukan nila ang gobyerno (They are really trying the government).” He noted this was the biggest drug haul in the city for August.
Earlier in August, police arrested an alleged big-time illegal drug trader and seized PHP455.6 million worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Bunguiao on August 19. On the same day, PDEG-9 also seized PHP27.2 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested another HVI in Barangay Canelar.
