Credits to Ely Dumaboc
PDEA Busts Suspected Big-Time Drug Dealer, Seizes P4.08M Worth of Shabu in Pagadian Mall
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, June 19, 2026 - An unnamed drug suspect was arrested and more than P4 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 9 at a mall on Thursday morning, June 18.
The 54-year-old suspect, a resident of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, was apprehended at around 9:30 a.m. inside a fast-food outlet at Gaisano Mall in Pagadian City.
Authorities said the operation led to the confiscation of approximately 600 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P4.08 million. The illegal drugs included a large 500-gram pack marked with “666” and another pack weighing about 100 grams.
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The anti-drug operation highlighted strong inter-agency coordination, with PDEA Regional Office 9 and the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office leading the effort. Supporting units included the PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 9, the 1st Cavalry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence Unit-Zamboanga del Sur, the Naval Intelligence and Security Unit 63, the Pagadian City Police Station, and the 902nd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9.
In addition to the illegal drugs, authorities recovered mobile phones, transaction bags, and marked buy-bust money, all of which will be used as evidence in the filing of charges.
Law enforcement officers ensured that the inventory and documentation of the seized items were conducted at the scene in the presence of representatives from the Department of Justice, media, and an elected official, in compliance with Section 21 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The suspect is currently under police custody and will face charges for violation of Section 5, Article II of the said law.
