Zamboanga: Authorities scored a significant accomplishment in the campaign against illegal drugs as they arrested a high-value target (HVT) and seized some PHP27.2 million worth of suspected shabu here on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Zamboanga Peninsula (PDEA-9) Director Bryan Babang said the HVT was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 9:30 a.m. at a gasoline station along Mayor Jaldon Street, Barangay Canelar. Babang identified the suspect only as alias 'Badri,' 52, a former soldier turned trader, and a resident of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. "The arrested suspect has been under surveillance for a month now," Babang stated.
During the operation, four kilograms of suspected shabu sealed in plastic packs, a pickup truck, the boodle money, two mobile phones, and an identification card were seized from the suspect. Babang noted that the suspect was detained and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The PDEA launched the anti-drug operation against Badri with the support of the Zamboanga City Police Office and military intelligence operatives. This operation follows a string of recent drug-related arrests in the area. On August 16, police officers arrested two suspects and confiscated PHP13.6 million worth of shabu in Barangay Baliwasan. The day before, two other suspects were arrested while in possession of PHP3.4 million worth of shabu in Barangay Cabatangan.
