Anti-narcotics agents arrested a 61-year-old drug suspect, seizing around P340,000 worth of suspected shabu from him during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Silal, Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Bryan Babang, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Region 9 (PDEA-9) regional director, identified the suspect by his alias, ‘Jing,’ a resident of the same village.
Operatives from PDEA 9-Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Office conducted the operation at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday and recovered one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu.
They also recovered the buy-bust money, a paper bag, and a mobile phone.
The joint operation was conducted with the PNP Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-Zamboanga Sibugay, PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Payao Municipal Police Station, the Philippine Army’s 106th Infantry Battalion, and the Naval Intelligence and Support Unit 63.
Babang noted that the joint operation highlights PDEA IX’s continuing commitment, along with its partner law enforcement and military agencies, to intensify anti-illegal drug efforts and strengthen inter-agency coordination across the region.
The suspect is now in custody and will face charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002