DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives in Region 9 successfully arrested two high-value drug personalities and seized around one kilogram of suspected shabu, valued at approximately ₱6.8 million, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Miputak, Dipolog City, on Tuesday morning.
The operation, conducted at around 9:10 a.m., was a joint effort involving PDEA RO9 Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Office (ZNPO), the Seaport Interdiction Unit-Zamboanga del Norte (SIU-ZDN), Dipolog City Police Station, the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 9 (RDEU9), and PNP-DEG SOU9.
Arrested were 37-year-old male suspect alias Gilben, a resident of West Poblacion, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte, and 28-year-old female suspect alias Sarah from Barangay Lawaan, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.
Authorities confiscated twenty heat-sealed transparent sachets containing a total of one kilogram of suspected shabu, along with a motor vehicle, other non-drug evidence, and the buy-bust money. The seized drugs have a street value of roughly ₱6,800,000.
Both suspects are set to face charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA RO9 emphasized its continued commitment to dismantling illegal drug networks and urged the public to assist law enforcement agencies in reporting suspicious activities.