Major Drug Bust in Zamboanga City
Authorities in Zamboanga City have successfully apprehended a high-value individual (HVI) linked to the illegal drug trade and confiscated a substantial quantity of shabu valued at approximately P3.4 million. The operation, which marks a significant victory for local law enforcement, took place on the morning of Monday, November 17, 2025.
Details of the Anti-Drug Operation
The arrest was executed during a meticulously planned buy-bust operation in Purok 1, Sinunuc village, Zamboanga City, at around 7:41 a.m. Police Brigadier General Edwin Quilates, the newly-installed director of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula, confirmed the details. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld, is a native of Kajatian village, Indanan, Sulu, and was currently residing in Zamboanga City.
During the operation, lawmen seized around 500 grams of a crystalline substance believed to be shabu, with an estimated street value of P3.4 million. Also recovered was a bundle of boodle money used in the entrapment, which was topped with one genuine P1,000 bill that served as the marked money.
Aftermath and Continued Campaign
The suspect is now under police custody and is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This operation was a collaborative effort between police units and military intelligence operatives, showcasing effective inter-agency cooperation.
Brig. Gen. Quilates, who previously headed the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group and just assumed his new post on Friday, November 14, has immediately ordered an intensification of the campaign against illegal drugs, terrorism, loose firearms, and smuggling. He emphasized that all operations must be precise and firmly anchored in the respect for human rights.
