ZAMBOANGA CITY – A joint anti-drug operation led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 9 successfully dismantled a drug den and apprehended three individuals engaged in illegal drug activities in Barangay Tugbungan on February 3, 2025.
The buy-bust operation, conducted at around 6:50 PM at the Picnic Ground, Purok 8, was spearheaded by the PDEA Zamboanga City Office in coordination with the National Special Enforcement Team and the Technical Support Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 (RMFB9).
Among those arrested were alias Oliver, 47, a vendor and alleged Drug Den Maintainer; alias Rex, 39, a construction worker and identified as a Drug Den Employee; and alias Aj, 26, a student labeled as a Drug Den Visitor. All three suspects are residents of Barangay Tugbungan.
Authorities seized seven heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately 12 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of Php 81,600. Also recovered from the scene were two open-end plastic sachets with drug residues, four aluminum foil strips with residues, various drug paraphernalia, a coin purse containing the suspected drugs, a brown wallet, a Barangay ID belonging to alias Oliver, and the marked buy-bust money.
The arrested individuals will face charges for violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 under Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs and urged the public to report any suspicious activities to help keep communities safe.
