08/10/2026
₱20.4-M SUSPECTED SHABU SEIZED IN ZAMBOANGA CITY BUY-BUST; HVI ARRESTED
Under the leadership of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), police operatives arrested a high-value individual (HVI) and seized around three kilograms of suspected shabu with standard drug price of ₱20.4 million during a buy-bust operation in Zamboanga City on October 7, 2026.
The operation was conducted along Calle Real, Barangay Mercedes, by personnel of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 9, PDEA 9, PDEG-SOU9, 1st Special Operations Unit of the Maritime Group, 904th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, Zamboanga City Maritime Police Station, PNP-SAF, and Police Station 4 of the Zamboanga City Police Office.
Aside from the suspected shabu, police recovered the buy-bust money and other non-drug items. The seized substance will undergo quantitative and qualitative examination at the Regional Forensic Unit 9, while the arrested suspect is being held for appropriate legal proceedings.
Chief PNP PGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the operation reflects the PNP's continuing effort to disrupt the movement of illegal drugs through focused and intelligence-led police work.
“We have to stay focused on the people and activities behind the drug trade. This operation shows what can be achieved when our units work closely with our partner agencies and act on verified information,” PGen Nartatez said.
The operation is consistent with the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which emphasizes coordinated and purposeful police action based on actual security and public-safety concerns. It also supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s continuing call for stronger action against illegal drugs while observing established procedures and the rights of persons under police custody.
The PNP will continue to work with partner agencies and communities in addressing the illegal drug problem as part of its commitment to the Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)