ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities intensified their anti-illegal drug campaign after arresting a newly identified high-value individual (HVI) and confiscating approximately 250 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱1.7 million during a coordinated buy-bust operation in Barangay Baliwasan in the early hours of Monday, July 13.
The operation, conducted at around 1:32 a.m. along Clipper Heights Drive, Barangay Baliwasan, was spearheaded by the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit-Zamboanga Peninsula (SOU-9) in coordination with the Zamboanga City Police Station 11 (ZCPS 11), Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 (RMFB 9), and the Naval Intelligence and Security Group – Western Mindanao.
Police identified the arrested suspect as a 51-year-old male and a resident of Kingdom Drive, Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City, who had recently been classified as a High-Value Individual (HVI) involved in illegal drug activities.
Recovered from the suspect were five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately 250 grams of suspected shabu, along with marked buy-bust money and a mobile phone believed to have been used in the illegal drug transactions.
Authorities estimated the seized illegal drugs to have a Standard Drug Price of ₱1,700,000, dealing a significant blow to the suspected drug distribution network operating in the city.
Following the operation, the suspect was brought to the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 9 for drug testing before undergoing a medical examination at the Zamboanga City Medical Center. The confiscated drug evidence was subsequently turned over to the RFU-9 Chemistry Section for laboratory examination, proper documentation, and safekeeping in accordance with legal procedures.
The suspect is currently under temporary detention at Zamboanga City Police Station 11 while investigators prepare charges for violations of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The charges will be filed before the Zamboanga City Prosecutor’s Office.
The operation forms part of the Philippine National Police’s sustained campaign to dismantle illegal drug syndicates through intelligence-driven law enforcement operations and inter-agency collaboration.
Police Regional Office 9 reiterated its commitment to intensifying anti-illegal drug operations across the Zamboanga Peninsula, emphasizing that authorities will continue to pursue individuals involved in the illegal drug trade while strengthening partnerships with other law enforcement agencies and local communities.
The successful operation underscores the continuing efforts of law enforcement authorities to curb the proliferation of dangerous drugs in Region 9 and reinforce public safety through aggressive and coordinated anti-criminality initiatives.