TUNGAWAN, Zamboanga Sibugay – Authorities confiscated nearly ₱14 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested three alleged drug personalities in a major anti-illegal drug operation in Tungawan, while a separate raid in Alicia led to the seizure of additional illegal drugs and an unlicensed firearm, police said.
The twin operations, conducted on June 30, resulted in the recovery of approximately 2.05 kilograms of suspected shabu with a combined Standard Drug Price (SDP) of ₱13.94 million, marking one of the biggest anti-drug accomplishments in Zamboanga Sibugay this year.
Three suspects arrested in ₱13.6-million buy-bust
The largest haul came from a coordinated buy-bust operation in Purok 1, Barangay Lower Tungawan, where operatives arrested three suspected drug traffickers identified only as:
- Romer, 31, married, a resident of Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City;
- Joseph, 41, single, from Mango Drive, Curuan, Zamboanga City; and
- Farhana, 46, married, a resident of Southcom Village, Zamboanga City.
The operation was spearheaded by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 9 (RDEU-9) in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Zamboanga Sibugay, the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSBPPO), and the Tungawan Municipal Police Station.
Authorities seized 11 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, including the buy-bust item.
The confiscated drugs weighed approximately two kilograms and carried an estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱13.6 million, based on the valuation of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
Investigators also recovered assorted drug paraphernalia and several non-drug pieces of evidence, including:
- One genuine ₱1,000 marked bill used in the buy-bust operation;
- 17 bundles of fake ₱1,000 bills with a total face value of ₱1.7 million;
- One black plastic bag;
- One paper bag;
- One black backpack; and
- One cellular phone.
The seized evidence was inventoried and marked in the presence of the required witnesses before being turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit in Zamboanga Sibugay for laboratory examination.
The three suspects are currently under the custody of the Tungawan Municipal Police Station while charges for violating Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing.
Separate Alicia raid nets more shabu, firearm
In a separate anti-drug operation, joint law enforcement teams served a search warrant at the residence of an adult male in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165 and Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The operation involved personnel from the Alicia Municipal Police Station, PIU, PDEU, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, 903rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, Zamboanga Sibugay Maritime Police Station, and the 106th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Authorities confiscated approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱340,000, assorted drug paraphernalia, and a Colt caliber .45 pistol loaded with an inserted magazine.
Appropriate criminal charges for violations of Republic Act Nos. 9165 and 10591 are also being readied against the suspect.
Months-long case buildup
According to PLT Jun Socrates H. Vios, Team Leader of RDEU-9 in Zamboanga Sibugay, the successful buy-bust operation in Tungawan was the culmination of a lengthy intelligence and surveillance effort.
In an interview with Sibugay News Hub, Vios disclosed that authorities spent several months building the case, conducting multiple transactions and intelligence operations before finally carrying out the operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.
The operation was led by PLTCOL Moh. Madzdie-Aziz K. Mukaram, chief of RDEU-9, together with PCPT Vincent E. Perez, Team Leader for Zamboanga City, and PLT Vios, under the supervision of PCOL Elmer S. Lim, Officer-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement and Regional Operations Division (DRDO).
Police commend operating units
PCOL Barnard Danie V. Dasugo, Provincial Director of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, lauded the operating teams for the successful operations and reaffirmed the provincial police’s commitment to intensifying the campaign against illegal drugs.
“The success of these operations reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the harmful effects of illegal drugs,” Dasugo said.
He added that the police will continue strengthening inter-agency coordination to ensure that individuals involved in illegal drug activities are held accountable under the law while urging the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities.
The Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office said it remains committed to creating safer and drug-free communities through sustained law enforcement operations, stronger collaboration among government agencies, and active public participation in the fight against illegal drugs.