By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

BUY-BUST. The shabu drugs worth over PHP1 million seized from two drug suspects during a buy-bust in Zamboanga City on Tuesday (July 7, 2026). The suspects are detained at the Zamboanga City Police Station 5 pending the filing of charges. (Photo courtesy of SOU-9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested two drug suspects and seized over PHP1 million worth of shabu in a law enforcement operation here before dawn Tuesday.

The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit-Zamboanga Peninsula (PDEG SOU-9) identified the arrested suspects by their aliases “Samla,” 54, a member of the Barangay Peace Council in Recodo, this city, and “Cali,” 30, a resident of Barangay Cawit, also in this city.

“The suspects were arrested in a buy-bust at about 12:13 a.m. along the bypass road in Zone 2, Barangay Boalan here,” the SOU-9 said in a report.

The operation was launched after the suspects agreed to transact illegal drugs with an undercover police agent.

“Seized from the suspects were some 150 grams of suspected shabu packed in three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth PHP1,020,000,” the SOU-9 said.

Also seized from the suspects were two motorcycles, a bundle of buy-bust money and a mobile phone.

The SOU-9 said the arrested suspects were turned over to Zamboanga City Police Station 5 for temporary detention.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are readied against the suspects. (PNA)