PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a 40-year-old man identified as a high-value target (HVT) and confiscated approximately 100 grams of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation at the parking lot of Gaisano Capital in Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City, on Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2026.
The operation was conducted at around 2:50 p.m. by a joint team from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), following an anti-illegal drug operation targeting the suspect.
Authorities identified the arrested individual only by his alias, “Ben,” a 40-year-old married laborer and resident of Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu.
Operatives reportedly recovered from the suspect two heat-sealed plastic packs containing a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated combined weight of 100 grams.
The confiscated suspected illegal drugs were valued at approximately ₱240,000 based on their estimated street value, while their standard drug value was placed at ₱680,000.
Aside from the suspected shabu, authorities also recovered a cellular phone, two brown paper bags, one red eco bag, and boodle money allegedly used during the entrapment operation.
The operation involved personnel from the PDEA Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office, PDEA Regional Special Enforcement Team 2, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 9, and the 90th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 (RMFB-9).
The suspect is expected to face charges for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the illegal sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs.
Following his arrest, the suspect and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the appropriate authorities for documentation and further legal proceedings.
The arrest adds to the continuing anti-drug enforcement efforts of government agencies in Zamboanga del Sur, although the full circumstances surrounding the suspected drug transaction and the alleged involvement of the arrested individual remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
The suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.