Lawmen have arrested two suspects and seized approximately P19.7 million worth of illegal drugs in separate anti-drug operations in Zamboanga City and Lanao del Sur, the police reported on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The police identified the arrested suspects through their aliases as Ben, 34, and Khalil, of legal age.
The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) stated that Ben was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, in Nangka Drive, Baliwasan village, Zamboanga City.
Seized during the operation were approximately 2.8 kilograms of suspected shabu packed in three vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packs valued at P19 million, bundles of boodle money topped with one genuine P1,000 marked bill, and a sling bag.
The arrested suspect is now under the custody of the Zamboanga City Police Station 6, pending the filing of appropriate charges.
Authorities are investigating whether Ben has ties with five other suspects separately arrested on Friday, April 24, in Zamboanga City. Two of those three suspects yielded three kilograms of suspected shabu worth P20.4 million when arrested in Cabatangan village on Friday afternoon. An additional P34 million worth of suspected shabu was seized when the third suspect was arrested in an anti-drug operation in Culianan village on Friday evening. Authorities noted that the plastic packs of the confiscated suspected shabu from all suspects bore similar numerical markings of 789.
Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (Pro-Bar), reported that Khalil was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Friday, April 24, in Mipantao Gadongan, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
De Guzman said Khalil was found in possession of approximately 100 grams of suspected shabu worth P6,800, buy-bust money, and illegal drug paraphernalia.
The arrested suspect and the confiscated evidence are currently under the custody of the Marawi City Police Station for proper documentation and disposition, including the filing of appropriate charges.
De Guzman commended the operating team from the Marawi City Police Office for their swift and coordinated efforts leading to the successful arrest. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and to continue supporting the government's campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.
