Zamboanga city: Authorities arrested three high-value individuals (HVIs) who evaded a checkpoint and seized approximately PHP605.2 million worth of illegal drugs here on Sunday. The Special Operations Unit-Zamboanga Peninsula (SOU-9) of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) identified the arrested suspects by their aliases Wang Yu, 53; John Michael, 27; and Alshareif, 41.

According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects were arrested following a chase around 7:47 a.m. in Barangay Rio Hondo. The SOU-9 reported that the operatives conducted land interdiction through intelligence-driven checkpoint operation. The suspects evaded the checkpoint, leading to a hot pursuit operation which resulted in their arrest.

Seized from the suspects were approximately 89 kilos of suspected shabu packed in two tea bags and a coffee pack. Authorities also confiscated a multi-purpose vehicle, a tricycle, and four ice chests.

Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso expressed concern over the city being used as a destination for large shipments of illegal drugs. 'Talagang sinusubukan nila ang gobyerno (They are really trying the government),' Olaso told reporters, noting that it was the biggest drug haul in the city for August.

An alleged big-time illegal drug trader was also arrested while some PHP455.6 million worth of suspected shabu was seized by police in Barangay Bunguiao on August 19. On the same day, PDEG-9 seized some PHP27.2 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested an HVI in Barangay Canelar.