By Sam Ramos
Authorities arrested five individuals in separate anti-drug operations that led to the dismantling of a drug den in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), officials confirmed on Monday, December 2, 2024.
In the Zamboanga Peninsula, a 48-year-old driver was apprehended during a buy-bust operation in Purok 2, Dionum Village, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte, around 8 a.m. on December 2. Police Brigadier General Bowenn Joey Masauding, director of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula, reported that authorities confiscated 3.8 grams of shabu worth PHP 35,360, packed in four heat-sealed plastic sachets, along with buy-bust money.
Later that evening, at 9:43 p.m. on December 1, a 47-year-old construction worker was arrested in another buy-bust operation at the Chinese Cemetery in Tumaga Village, Zamboanga City. Authorities seized 6.01 grams of shabu valued at PHP 40,868, packed in three plastic sachets, along with buy-bust money.
In BARMM, a drug den was dismantled during a buy-bust operation at Calle Onse, Maligaya Village, Lamitan City, Basilan, on November 29. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in BARMM identified those arrested as Randy Sagadsad, the suspected drug den operator, and two others, Ryan Lequin and Robert Abiy.
From the dismantled drug den, operatives seized five grams of shabu worth PHP 34,000, packed in eight plastic sachets, along with drug paraphernalia, buy-bust money, a cellular phone, and identification cards. The operation was conducted by a joint team of PDEA-BARMM agents, local police, and troops from the 18th Infantry Battalion.
The suspects are currently detained, and charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are set to be filed against them. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to continuing anti-drug operations in the region to address illegal drug activities.