Zamboanga city: Authorities arrested a big-time drug pusher and seized some PHP4.08 million worth of illegal drugs in an intelligence-driven anti-drug operation in Zamboanga del Sur, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA-Zamboanga Peninsula identified the suspect as alias "Omar," 54, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur. Omar was apprehended in a buy-bust operation on Thursday at a fast food outlet inside a shopping mall in Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City.
The suspect allegedly handed over a transparent plastic pack labeled "666" containing approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu and one knot-tied plastic pack containing approximately 100 grams of suspected shabu. The total weight of the seized drugs was 600 grams, valued at PHP4,080,000.
In addition to the illegal substances, authorities confiscated items including cellular phones, bags used in the transaction, buy-bust money, and other items relevant to the operation. The suspect is currently detained and will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The operation was conducted by the PDEA-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office in coordination with the police, Coast Guard, and military intelligence operatives. Earlier in the week, PDEA-Zamboanga City Office also arrested another drug pusher, alias "Jain," 42, in Calle Imbornal, Barangay Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City, seizing PHP340,000 worth of suspected shabu.
