Zamboanga City:Authorities have arrested four high-value targets (HVTs) and seized illegal drugs worth PHP455.6 million during a law enforcement operation conducted on Wednesday afternoon in this city.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Zamboanga Peninsula (PDEA-9) identified the suspects by their aliases as Shermahal, 42, female; Sabirin, 45; Jul-Asbi, 54; and Abu-darda, 33, all residents of Zamboanga City. The arrests were made during a buy-bust operation at around 452 p.m. in Zone 4, Arcillas Street, Barangay Mercedes.

The PDEA-9 reported that the suspects were apprehended after selling two transparent plastic packs containing a white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, weighing approximately 2,000 grams, to an undercover agent. A total of 67 kilograms of illegal substances, along with a digital weighing scale, a subcompact sedan, two mobile phones, four identification cards, and a transaction receipt from a money courier service firm, were confiscated from the suspects.

Mercedes Barangay Chairperson Romeo Fayluga informed authorities that the suspects had purchased a property and resided in the village for five months. However, their activities related to the sale of illegal drugs were unknown to the community.

Investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the suspects' illegal drug operations and any potential connections to drug syndicates. Authorities also noted that the plastic packaging of the confiscated shabu bore '8888' markings. The arrests were made by a joint team of PDEA from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Cebu, and the National Capital Region, with support from the Zamboanga City Police Office and the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit. The suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.