PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A suspected big-time drug peddler was arrested while more than P4 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated during a major anti-drug operation conducted by law enforcement authorities in Pagadian City on Thursday morning, June 18.
The operation, spearheaded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 9 (PDEA RO9) through its Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office (ZDSPO), resulted in the arrest of a 54-year-old suspect identified only by the alias “Omar,” a married resident of Barangay Poblacion, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.
Authorities said the buy-bust operation was carried out at around 9:30 a.m. in the vicinity of a fast-food establishment inside Gaisano Mall in Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City.
The successful operation was conducted in coordination with multiple law enforcement and security units, including the PNP ZSPIT RIU9, the 1st Cavalry Battalion of the Armor Division of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence Unit-Zamboanga del Sur, the Naval Intelligence and Security Unit 63 of the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao, the Pagadian City Police Station, and the 902nd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9.
According to PDEA, operatives confiscated approximately 600 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P4,080,000.
Recovered from the suspect were an open transparent plastic pack marked “666” containing approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu, which served as the buy-bust item, and another knot-tied transparent plastic pack containing approximately 100 grams of the same suspected illegal substance.
Authorities said the total volume of seized illegal drugs indicated a significant supply intended for distribution, highlighting the suspect’s alleged role in the illegal drug trade operating within the region.
In addition to the suspected shabu, law enforcement personnel also seized several non-drug pieces of evidence, including mobile phones, bags allegedly used during the transaction, buy-bust money, and other items deemed relevant to the investigation and prosecution of the case.
Following the arrest, authorities immediately conducted the inventory and documentation of the seized evidence in strict compliance with Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended.
The inventory process was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the media, and an elected government official to ensure transparency and preserve the integrity of the evidence.
PDEA officials emphasized that the operation underscores the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and the strong collaboration among various law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies in combating narcotics trafficking in Western Mindanao.
The arrested suspect is currently under the custody of authorities and is set to face charges for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, which penalizes the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs.
Authorities are also conducting further investigations to determine the source of the seized illegal drugs and identify possible members of the drug network linked to the suspect.
The latest seizure is considered one of the significant anti-drug accomplishments in Zamboanga del Sur this year, dealing a major blow to the illegal drug trade in the province and neighboring areas.