ZAMBOANGA CITY — Law enforcement authorities arrested three individuals and confiscated approximately P34 million worth of illegal drugs during an anti-drug operation conducted on May 12, 2026, at the basement parking lot of a shopping mall in Barangay Zone 4, Zamboanga City.
The police reported the arrests on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The suspects were identified by their aliases: Kasmir, 32, a resident of Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City; Adong, 32, a native of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and Ardison, 40, a native of Jolo, Sulu.
Police Colonel Narciso Paragas, Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula, stated that the suspects were apprehended during a buy-bust operation around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the mall’s basement parking area.
Seized from the suspects were five kilograms of shabu (crystal methamphetamine) packed in five vacuum-sealed transparent plastic bags, with an estimated street value of P34 million. Paragas noted that the plastic bags bore the numerical marking “666.”
Authorities also recovered bundles of counterfeit money topped with one genuine and marked P1,000 bill used in the operation, a pick-up truck, and other non-drug evidence.
The suspects are currently detained as charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against them. The operation was conducted by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9, with support from other police units and Naval intelligence personnel.
