ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Police arrested a suspected high-value individual (HVI) and seized approximately 200 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱1.36 million during an early Wednesday morning anti-drug operation in Barangay Zone 1, Zamboanga City, on November 4, 2026.
The suspect, identified only as alias Jemrin, 38, a factory worker and resident of Tulayan Island, Luuk, Sulu, was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted along San Jose Road, near Hai San Restaurant.
The operation was led by the Special Operations Unit 9 (SOU 9) of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), with support from the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 9, 1st Special Operations Unit of the PNP Maritime Group, 904th Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (Seaborne), and Zamboanga City Police Station 11.
Authorities recovered four heat-sealed transparent plastic packs containing a crystalline substance suspected to be shabu from the suspect’s possession. The seized illegal drugs were estimated to weigh approximately 200 grams and carry a total street value of ₱1,360,000.
Also confiscated during the operation were boodle money topped with a genuine ₱500 bill, an eco bag, a belt bag, and an identification card.
Police personnel reportedly used Body-Worn Cameras and an Alternative Recording Device throughout the operation to document the proceedings in accordance with Philippine National Police operational guidelines.
Following his arrest, Jemrin was placed under the custody of Zamboanga City Police Station 11, where he remains detained pending the filing of appropriate charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, the confiscated suspected illegal drugs were turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit 9 (RFU9) for laboratory examination to establish their actual composition and confirm the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
The arrest adds to the continuing anti-illegal drug enforcement efforts in Zamboanga City, where authorities continue to conduct coordinated operations against individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade.
The suspect’s alleged involvement and the nature of the seized substance remain subject to further investigation and the appropriate legal proceedings.