ZAMBOANGA CITY — A 23-year-old suspected drug personality was arrested and nearly ₱100,000 worth of suspected illegal drugs were seized during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City, on August 15, 2026.
The operation was carried out at around 8:44 p.m. by personnel of the PDEA Regional Office 9-Zamboanga City Office (ZCO), with support from the PDEA RO9 Regional Special Enforcement Team 2, PNP Zamboanga City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ZCPO-CDEU), Tactical Support Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, PNP Special Action Force 55th Special Action Company, 5th Special Action Battalion, and the 1st Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect only by the alias “Meh.” The suspect is 23 years old, single, and a resident of Barangay Calarian, Zamboanga City.
According to PDEA RO9, the operation resulted in the recovery of several substances suspected to be dangerous drugs, including approximately 105 milliliters of liquid MDMB-4en-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid, with an estimated value of ₱30,000.
The authorities also seized approximately 10 grams of suspected shabu, estimated to be worth ₱68,000, and 0.005 gram of suspected marijuana, with an estimated value of ₱500.
The combined estimated value of the seized suspected illegal drugs was placed at ₱98,500.
PDEA said the suspected MDMB-4en-PINACA was contained in one transparent plastic bottle, nine black plastic bottles, and one disposable syringe, all containing yellowish liquid substances.
Investigators also recovered two heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu and one sachet containing dried suspected marijuana leaves during the operation.
Aside from the suspected illegal drugs, authorities seized a mobile phone, the suspect’s driver’s license, a blue plastic sando bag, a motorcycle, and the buy-bust money used during the operation.
The arrest forms part of continuing law enforcement efforts to disrupt the distribution and proliferation of illegal drugs in Zamboanga City and other areas of Western Mindanao.
PDEA RO9 said charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed in court against the arrested suspect.
Section 5 of the law covers the illegal sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs, while Section 11 covers the illegal possession of dangerous drugs.
The seized substances will be subjected to the appropriate examination and disposition procedures as part of the case build-up and prosecution process.
PDEA RO9 reiterated its commitment to intensify anti-drug operations in coordination with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, as well as local stakeholders, to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region.
The case against the suspect will now proceed through the appropriate legal process, with the allegations subject to presentation and determination in court.