Anti-drug operatives arrested three suspects and seized more than P27.3 million worth of suspected shabu and a firearm in separate buy-bust operations in Zamboanga City and Leyte, police said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operations were carried out in the evening with support from multiple police units and partner agencies.
In Zamboanga City, authorities conducted a buy-bust operation at around 8:40 p.m. along Nangka Drive, Barangay Baliwasan. The operation involved personnel from Police Stations 6 and 7, the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit, and the 2nd City Mobile Force Company of the Zamboanga City Police Office, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Wing–Western Mindanao.
A high-value target was arrested, and authorities seized about 2,800 grams of suspected shabu valued at around P19.04 million, along with buy-bust money and a sling bag.
Hours later, a second operation was conducted at around 11:38 p.m. in Barangay Damulaan, Albuera, Leyte. Joint teams from the Albuera Municipal Police Station and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Leyte Police Provincial Office arrested two more suspects, including another high-value target.
Recovered from the Leyte operation were about 1,217.4 grams of suspected shabu valued at around P8.27 million, buy-bust money, a .45-caliber pistol, and other non-drug items.
Authorities said the two operations yielded a combined total of about 4,017.4 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated value of P27.32 million, along with one firearm.
The PNP said the operations were part of its ongoing intelligence-driven campaign to dismantle drug networks.
“We remain firm in our commitment to dismantle drug networks that continue to destroy lives and communities,” Nartatez said, adding that the campaign will be sustained to ensure public safety.
He said the operations align with the government’s broader anti-drug and anti-crime strategy under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
All arrested suspects and seized items are now under the custody of the operating units for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.