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CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Four drug pushers, including a high value individual, were arrested as they yielded P2.7 million worth of shabu during an operation in Bacolor, Pampanga on Saturday.
DRUG BUST Two drug suspects (fourth and fifth from left) are arrested in Zamboanga City on Jan. 24, 2025. In total, Zamboanga Peninsula authorities arrested three high-value targets over the weekend, seizing P23.1 million worth of illegal drugs. PHOTO BY PDEG/PNA
Reports reaching Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) regional director BGen. Jean Fajardo said that the operation was conducted at 8:12 p.m. in Brgy. Cabetican, Bacolor.
The arrested individuals were identified only by their aliases -- "Jane," 45, a fish vendor from San Quintin, Pangasinan; "Jaime," 52, a security guard from Quezon City; "Jeff," 44, a motorcycle mechanic from Caloocan City; and "Rie," 39, a tattoo artist from Quezon City.
The operation was led by the Pampanga Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit, Bacolor Municipal Police Station, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 3 (PDEA-3).
The raiders seized 402 grams of shabu, valued at P2,733,600.
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Authorities also confiscated firearms and a cellphone.
The suspects are now in PDEU custody for the filing of appropriate charges.
Fajardo said they will face violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165) and charges related to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Fajardo commended the teams behind the successful operation. "This accomplishment reflects our commitment to rid Central Luzon of illegal drugs and ensure the safety of our communities," she said.
"The arrest of this high-value individual and their accomplices sends a strong message that we will not tolerate any activity that undermines the well-being of our people," added Fajardo.
The Central Luzon top policeman also cited the importance of community involvement in the fight against illegal drugs, urging the public to report any suspicious activities.
"This operation demonstrates our unwavering resolve to uphold the law, maintain public order, and ensure the safety of our region," said Fajardo.
4 pushers nabbed in Benguet
Meawhile, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera agents nabbed four suspects and seized almost P300,000 worth of shabu in a raid on Friday in Barangay Ambiong, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The suspects were identified as Ryan Taguiba Tictica, 35, a laborer from Upper Ambiong, La Trinidad; Jonalph Nagen Salupen, 29, also a laborer from Apugan, Santo Tomas in Baguio City; Martin Joseph Alvior Cortez, 33, a mechanic from Purok 3, also in Ambiong; and housekeeper Maria Cristina Ventura Quinto, 23, from Upper Ambiong, La Trinidad Benguet.
The suspects were caught at the house during the court-ordered raid, said PDEA-CAR director Derrick Carreon.
Ten transparent plastic sachets containing more or less 40 grams of suspected shabu with estimated value at P272,000 and drug paraphernalia were seized.
Carreon said the four open transparent sachets; two pieces of lighter; a pack of unused transparent plastic sachets; three rolled aluminum foils; a transparent improvised tooter; one black weighing scale; three bundled black straws and butane gas canister were also found inside the house.
Police believe walk-in customers take shabu right at the drug den.
The PDEA-CAR chief hailed the persistence of the PDEA operatives led by veteran agents from PDEA-Mountain Province, PDEA-CAR Land Transport Interdiction Unit, PDEA Kalinga, PDEA Baguio-Benguet and with able support from the local police for the success of the raid, perhaps the largest haul of shabu in the highland region this year.
3 arrested, P23-M shabu seized in Zamboanga Peninsula
Authorities arrested three high-value targets and seized P23.1 million worth of illegal drugs in separate anti-drug operations across the Zamboanga Peninsula, police said on Saturday.
The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Unit 9 (PDEG-SOU-9) identified the suspects as alias Darwin, 42, a driver; Sahil, 42, a fisher; and alias Amil, 40, a truck operator.
Darwin, a resident of Barangay Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City, was arrested around 12:20 p.m. Saturday in a buy-bust conducted by the PDEG and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the corner of Rizal and Osmeña Streets in Brgy. Central, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
Confiscated from Darwin, a subject of extensive surveillance, were three kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P20.4 million, a car, a mobile phone, buy-bust money, and a bag.
"The successful seizure highlights the ongoing efforts of PDEA-Zamboanga Peninsula and PDEG-9 to dismantle drug networks and target high-value individuals involved in the illegal drug trade," PDEG said in a statement.
In another operation, Sahil, a resident of Barangay Parol, Tongkil, Sulu, and Amil, a resident of Governor Camins Avenue, Zamboanga City, were arrested at 7:30 p.m. Friday along Zaragoza Street, Brgy. Zone 4, about 400 meters from the city hall.
Recovered from Sahil and Amil were 400 grams of shabu worth P2.7 million and packed in eight heat-sealed plastic sachets, along with a mobile phone, a coin purse, buy-bust and boodle money, and other drug paraphernalia.
The suspects are in police custody and face cases for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
