By Sam Ramos
Authorities arrested a 50-year-old male suspect and seized PHP6.8 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Monday evening. The operation, conducted by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU-9) under the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9), took place at around 7:25 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion.
Lt. Col. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 spokesperson, confirmed the suspect is a resident of Barangay Arena Blanco, Zamboanga City. His name is being withheld pending the filing of formal charges. Confiscated during the operation were one kilogram of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, and the marked buy-bust money.
The suspect is currently detained at the Zamboanga Sibugay police provincial office and is facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
This operation follows another buy-bust conducted by RDEU-9 on Sunday in Zamboanga City, where a separate suspect, a militiaman, was arrested with PHP6.8 million worth of shabu. These recent operations highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region. Authorities continue to encourage the public to report drug-related activities to aid in the nationwide anti-drug campaign.