ZAMBOANGA CITY—Authorities have apprehended a high-value drug suspect and seized approximately P20.4 million worth of illegal drugs in a successful anti-drug operation in Zamboanga City, police officials reported on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
The suspect, identified only as alias Ahmad, 24, is a resident of Lower Taway village in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay province. His arrest took place during a buy-bust operation along Mayor Jaldon Street in Zone 2 village, Zamboanga City, around 12:24 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Police Brigadier General Bowenn Joey Masauding, Regional Director of the Zamboanga Peninsula Police.
During the operation, police confiscated around three kilos of suspected shabu (methamphetamine), with a street value of P20.4 million. Authorities also recovered a bundle of 899 pieces of counterfeit P1,000 bills used as “boodle money” for the transaction, topped with one genuine P1,000 note, along with several plastic packs.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9 (RDEU-9) in coordination with the Naval Intelligence Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM).
Brigadier General Masauding praised the law enforcement agencies for their swift action, stating, “This remarkable achievement highlights our unwavering commitment to combating the proliferation of illegal drugs and protecting our community from their detrimental effects.”
Ahmad is now under the custody of the Zamboanga City Police Office, while the seized drugs and paraphernalia have been turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit 9 for examination.
Masauding emphasized the continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies, saying, “We remain steadfast in our partnership with other agencies and community stakeholders to ensure a safer environment for all.”
This latest operation reflects the intensified efforts of local authorities to combat illegal drugs in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
