Zamboanga city: Anti-narcotic authorities arrested a police officer from Basilan province and seized illegal drugs worth PHP13.6 million on Saturday. The arrested police was identified as alias 'Abdul,' 45, a police staff sergeant and a resident of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Zamboanga City Office (PDEA-ZCO) reported that Abdul was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 5:45 p.m. in Sitio Bagong Dalan, Barangay Sta. Maria, this city. The suspect was apprehended after he transacted illegal drugs with an undercover PDEA agent. Seized from the suspect were two vacuum-sealed bags containing suspected shabu weighing 2,000 grams. The standard value of the confiscated suspected shabu is PHP13.6 million.

In addition to the drugs, authorities also seized a Glock 17 pistol with 42 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a police identification card, and 16 bundles of boodle money from the suspect. Abdul has been detained and will face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The anti-drug operation was launched by PDEA operatives from Isabela City, Basilan, with the support of different police units. Saturday's drug haul is the second-largest seizure of illegal drugs authorities have made in Zamboanga City this week. On May 13, police authorities arrested three suspects and seized some PHP34 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Zone 4 here.