PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Authorities intensified their campaign against illegal drugs after operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office IX successfully arrested a suspected drug personality and confiscated approximately 100 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard value of ₱680,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City on Monday afternoon, August 3.
The operation, conducted at around 3:20 p.m., was spearheaded by the PDEA Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office in close coordination with the Philippine National Police–Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Intelligence Team, Regional Intelligence Unit 9 (PNP-ZSPIT RIU9), Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 9–Zamboanga del Sur (RDEU 9-ZDS), and the 902nd Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 (902nd MC RMFB).
Arrested during the anti-drug operation was the suspect identified only by the alias “Datz,” a 33-year-old married farmer and resident of Barangay Payong, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.
Authorities said the suspect was apprehended after allegedly selling illegal drugs to an undercover operative during the buy-bust transaction.
Recovered from the suspect were two knot-tied transparent plastic packs containing approximately 100 grams of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, with an estimated standard value of ₱680,000.
In addition to the suspected illegal drugs, operatives also confiscated a motorcycle, a cellular phone, boodle money topped with one genuine ₱1,000 bill used as marked buy-bust money, plastic packaging materials, a paper bag used to contain the buy-bust money, and the suspect’s identification card, all of which are expected to form part of the evidence in the criminal case.
Following the arrest, law enforcement officers conducted the inventory and documentation of the seized evidence in the presence of representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the media, and an elected public official, in accordance with the mandatory witness requirements under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, to preserve the integrity and evidentiary value of the confiscated items.
The suspect is set to face charges for Violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, which penalizes the illegal sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs.
PDEA Regional Director III Bryan B. Babang commended the operating teams for the successful operation, emphasizing that the accomplishment reflects the strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal drug trade in Western Mindanao.
Babang likewise reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and bringing individuals involved in the illegal drug trade to justice as part of the government’s intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Authorities are conducting further investigation to determine the source of the confiscated illegal drugs and identify other individuals who may be part of the suspect’s alleged drug distribution network.