Zamboanga city: Authorities have arrested a high-value individual (HVI) suspect and seized PHP1.7 million worth of illegal drugs in an anti-drug operation in this city, the police said.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), through Special Operations Unit-9, identified the arrested HVI suspect as alias "James Renan", 32, a resident of Cabato Road, Barangay Tetuan, this city. Renan was apprehended during a buy-bust operation around 10:26 p.m. on Lemon Drive, Barangay Baliwasan. The suspect was arrested immediately after completing the illegal drug transaction with an undercover policeman.

PDEG reported that the total confiscated drug evidence, suspected to be shabu, weighs approximately 250 grams and is valued at PHP1.7 million. The suspected shabu was found packed in five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

In addition to the illegal drugs, authorities also seized several pieces of non-drug evidence, including a mobile phone, a motorcycle, a bundle of boodle money topped with one genuine PHP1,000 marked bill, and two plastic bags.

PDEG noted that the anti-drug operation was the culmination of a series of surveillance activities on the suspect's illegal drug trade. The arrested individual was transferred to Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for temporary detention as appropriate charges are being prepared against him.