ZAMBOANGA CITY — In a blow to the illegal drug trade in the Zamboanga Peninsula, undercover police operatives arrested a high-profile dealer and confiscated P2 million worth of shabu during a sting operation in Barangay Baliwasan last Wednesday, April 2.
The suspect, known for supplying methamphetamine (shabu) across multiple barangays in Zamboanga City and nearby towns in Zamboanga Sibugay, was caught red-handed selling 305 grams of the banned substance to anti-narcotics agents along Sampaloc Drive. According to a report from Brig. Gen. Roel Rodolfo, director of Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9), the dealer was immediately subdued and taken into custody.
Shabu: A Persistent Problem in the Region
The Zamboanga Peninsula has long been a hotspot for drug trafficking due to its strategic coastal location, making it a transit point for narcotics entering Mindanao. Authorities have intensified operations against drug syndicates, but the trade persists, fueling crime and addiction in urban and rural communities.
This latest bust highlights the critical role of community cooperation in the fight against drugs. Radio reports from Cotabato City and the Bangsamoro region revealed that local leaders tipped off police about the suspect’s activities, leading to his arrest.
Facing Justice
The suspect is now detained at the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) and will face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The seized shabu will serve as key evidence in court.
With the region’s drug trade still rampant, law enforcement agencies vow to ramp up operations—but they stress that public vigilance remains essential in dismantling narcotics networks.
“This arrest is a victory, but the war is far from over,” a PRO-9 official stated. “We urge residents to keep reporting suspicious activities—your cooperation saves lives.”
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