PDEG: P605 M worth of shabu seized in Zamboanga City, 3 arrested
Anti-narcotics agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized around P605.2 million worth of shabu following the arrest of three suspected drug peddlers in a special operation in Zamboanga City on Sunday morning, Aug. 31.
PNP-Drug Enforcement Group director Brig. Gen. Edwin Quilates said the operation stemmed from confirmed intelligence reports about the huge volume of illegal drugs in possession of the three arrested suspects, aged 27, 41 and 53.
The three suspects, according to Quilates, have been under the radar of the PNP and considered as high value targets long before the operation.
Quilates said they finally got the chance of busting the group after they obtained information about a huge volume of shabu that the three suspects recently received from their supplier.
He said their agents were supported by agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the local police forces, and soldiers from the Philippine Navy during the operation in Barangay Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City at around 7:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Seized were 89 kilograms of shabu with an estimated street value of PP605.2 million, the illegal drugs were concealed in Chinese tea bags. Also confiscated were a vehicle and four ice chests used in the transport of the illegal drugs.
“This accomplishment reflects not only operational excellence but also the collective effort of inter-agency coordination in safeguarding our nation from the scourge of illegal drugs,” said Quilates.
He said the arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for documentation.