PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Authorities arrested a suspected drug personality and seized ₱170,000 worth of shabu in a successful buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City, on Friday afternoon, November 8, 2025.
The operation, launched by PDEA Regional Office 9 through its Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office (ZDSPO) in coordination with the Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET) and Pagadian City Police Station, resulted in the arrest of a 46-year-old construction worker known by the alias “Edwin.” The suspect, a resident of the said barangay, was caught red-handed during the transaction at around 3:40 p.m.
Authorities recovered approximately 25 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug value of ₱170,000, along with several non-drug items, including drug paraphernalia and the marked buy-bust money.
PDEA said the operation was part of its intensified campaign against illegal drugs in Zamboanga Peninsula, targeting both street-level pushers and high-value individuals involved in the narcotics trade.
The arrested suspect is now under the custody of PDEA Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office and will be facing charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.