Major Drug Bust Nets P6.8 Million in Illegal Substances
In a significant blow to drug trafficking in the region, law enforcement authorities apprehended two high-value target drug personalities and seized illegal drugs valued at approximately P6.8 million during an anti-drug operation in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, resulted in the arrest of two individuals identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Zamboanga Peninsula as alias Gilben, 37, from Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte, and alias Sara, 29, a resident of Dapitan City within the same province.
Buy-Bust Operation Details
The successful apprehension occurred around 9:10 a.m. in Miputak village, Dipolog City, where PDEA operatives conducted a carefully planned buy-bust operation targeting the high-value drug suspects.
Authorities confiscated substantial evidence from the suspects, including:
- One kilogram of suspected shabu packed in 20 large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets
- Bundles of buy-bust money used in the operation
- A Sports Utility Vehicle believed to be used in drug transactions
The estimated street value of the confiscated illegal drugs reached P6.8 million, marking one of the significant drug busts in the region recently.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
The anti-drug operation showcased effective inter-agency cooperation, with PDEA-Zamboanga Peninsula leading the effort in coordination with multiple law enforcement bodies. The collaborative team included personnel from the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9, various police units, and military components.
This coordinated approach demonstrates the continued commitment of Philippine authorities to combat the illegal drug trade through unified efforts across different security agencies.
Following their arrest, both suspects are currently detained while authorities prepare to file appropriate charges against them for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Related Drug Operation in Zamboanga del Sur
This major operation follows another successful anti-drug effort in the neighboring province of Zamboanga del Sur, where lawmen arrested a drug suspect and seized approximately P68,000 worth of illegal drugs on Sunday, November 10, 2025.
In that operation, suspect alias Ismael, 37, was apprehended during a buy-bust operation around 3:55 p.m. in San Francisco village, Pagadian City. Similar to the Dipolog case, the suspect will face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The consecutive successful operations across Zamboanga provinces indicate intensified efforts by authorities to dismantle drug networks operating in the region, particularly targeting high-value individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
