ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade on Friday, April 17, after seizing approximately seven kilograms of suspected shabu worth an estimated ₱47.6 million in a high-impact buy-bust operation in Barangay Divisoria.
The operation, conducted by joint elements of the City Intelligence Division Management Unit (CIDMU) and the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office (CDEU-ZCPO), led to the arrest of three suspected high-value individuals, including one woman, along the vicinity of Villa Teresa Subdivision on MCLL Highway.
Police reports indicate that the suspects, believed to be residents of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, were apprehended during the transaction after undercover operatives successfully carried out the sting. Confiscated from their possession were plastic packs containing around seven kilos of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the suspects pending further investigation and the filing of appropriate charges.
The scale of the seizure underscores the continued presence of large-volume drug trafficking operations in the region, with law enforcement agencies intensifying efforts to dismantle networks operating in and around Zamboanga City, a known transit point due to its proximity to island provinces.
In the aftermath of the operation, Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso personally visited the site to assess the situation and ensure that security measures remained firmly in place. He was joined by key members of the city council, including Committee on Anti-Drugs Chairperson Councilor Atty. Vladimir Jimenez, Vice Chairperson Councilor Hannah Nuño, and Committee on Peace and Order Chair Councilor Fred Atilano.
Local officials emphasized the importance of close coordination between law enforcement and the city government to sustain momentum in the campaign against illegal drugs and maintain public safety.
“The presence of city officials on the ground reflects our full support for the police and our firm commitment to protect our communities from the threats posed by illegal drugs,” a statement from the local government noted.
The operation forms part of the government’s intensified anti-drug campaign, which continues to target both street-level and high-value drug personalities across the region.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ network, possible accomplices, and the origin and intended distribution of the seized illegal drugs. Authorities are also pursuing follow-up operations aimed at identifying other members of the trafficking group.
Police have reiterated their call for public cooperation, urging residents to report suspicious activities as part of a broader effort to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city.