By Sam Ramos
Three high-value targets (HVTs) were arrested, and illegal drugs valued at PHP23.1 million were seized in separate anti-drug operations conducted across the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported Saturday.
The suspects, identified as alias Darwin, 42, a driver; Sahil, 42, a fisher; and alias Amil, 40, a truck operator, were apprehended in coordinated operations led by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit 9 (PDEG-SOU-9) and PDEA-Zamboanga Peninsula.
Darwin, a resident of Barangay Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City, was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 12:20 p.m. on Saturday. The operation, conducted at the corner of Rizal and Osmeña Streets in Barangay Central, Dipolog City, followed weeks of surveillance.
Authorities confiscated three kilograms of suspected shabu worth PHP20.4 million, a car, a mobile phone, buy-bust money, and a bag. PDEG described the operation as a significant step in dismantling drug networks in the region.
Later that evening, Sahil of Barangay Parol, Tongkil, Sulu, and Amil of Governor Camins Avenue, Zamboanga City, were apprehended at 7:30 p.m. along Zaragoza Street in Barangay Zone 4, approximately 400 meters from the city hall.
Recovered from the suspects were 400 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP2.7 million, packed in eight heat-sealed plastic sachets. Other seized items included a mobile phone, a coin purse, buy-bust and boodle money, and drug paraphernalia.
The suspects are currently in police custody and face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. PDEG and PDEA emphasized that these operations are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug syndicates and disrupt the supply chain of illegal narcotics in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The arrests mark the third major drug operation in Zamboanga City this year. On January 8, a suspect known as alias Esmon was arrested in Barangay Baliwasan with 250 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.7 million.
Authorities continue to call on the public to report suspicious activities as part of the government’s anti-drug campaign.