Law enforcement operatives have arrested a high-value individual (HVI) suspect and confiscated approximately P1.7 million worth of illegal drugs during an anti-drug operation in Zamboanga City, the police reported on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Arrest and Operation Details
The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), through its Special Operations Unit-9, identified the arrested HVI suspect as alias James Renan, 32, a resident of Cabato Road, Tetuan village, Zamboanga City. The PDEG stated that Renan was apprehended in a buy-bust operation at 10:26 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, in Lemon Drive, Baliwasan village, Zamboanga City.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody after he completed an illegal drug transaction with an undercover police officer.
Seized Evidence
Confiscated from the suspect were 250 grams of shabu, packed in five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, with an estimated street value of P1.7 million. Additionally, non-drug evidence was seized, including a mobile phone, a motorcycle, a bundle of boodle money topped with one genuine P1,000 marked bill, and two plastic bags.
The PDEG noted that the anti-drug operation was launched following a series of surveillance activities targeting the suspect's illegal drug trade.
Detention and Charges
The arrested suspect was turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for temporary detention while appropriate charges are being prepared against him.
