ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities arrested two high-value drug suspects and seized an estimated ₱3.4 million worth of suspected shabu in a pre-dawn anti-drug operation on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Barangay Talon-Talon here.
Operatives of the Special Operations Unit 9 of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG), led by Director Police Brigadier General Elmer E. Ragay, spearheaded the buy-bust operation at around 3:14 a.m. in Sitio Logoy Diutay.
The suspects, identified only by their aliases “Dahim,” 42, and “Bakar,” 35, were both classified as high-value individuals (HVIs) in the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. They were apprehended after allegedly transacting with undercover operatives.
Authorities recovered approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu from the suspects, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱3.4 million. Other non-drug items believed to be linked to the illegal drug trade were also confiscated during the operation.
The anti-drug operation was conducted through a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement and military units. These included the 1st Marine Rifle Battalion, Police Station 12 of the Zamboanga City Police Office, the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 9, the 904th Mobile Company and S2 Battalion Headquarters of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, the Zamboanga City Police Office Intelligence Team 9, the 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company-Seaborne, and the Naval Intelligence and Security Group–Western Mindanao.
The arrested individuals were taken into custody at Police Station 12 of the Zamboanga City Police Office for proper documentation and legal processing. Meanwhile, the seized drug evidence was turned over to the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Forensic Unit 9 for laboratory examination to confirm its composition.
Police Brigadier General Ragay lauded the successful operation, emphasizing the continued efforts of authorities to dismantle drug networks and arrest key personalities involved in the illegal drug trade.
“This successful buy-bust operation underscores the unwavering commitment of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group to apprehend high-value drug personalities and to safeguard the safety and well-being of our communities,” Ragay said.
Authorities are preparing appropriate charges against the suspects for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The operation forms part of intensified anti-drug efforts in Western Mindanao, a region authorities continue to monitor closely due to persistent illegal drug activities.