Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police neutralized a suspected drug personality found to be in possession of P340K worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation along the highway of barangay Tugbungan early Sunday night. The suspect,

Renante Cañete Alvarez, also known as “Tata”, was killed by the authorities after he allegedly grabbed an officer’s gun while being arrested.

As this developed, Mayor John Dalipe lauded the buy bust operation and expressed gratitude to the forces for continuously exerting best efforts to rid the city of illegal drugs. He committed full support to the war against the drug menace stressing that its success is a vital component in the maintenance of peace and security in the city.

The buy-bust operation was carried out by personnel from PDEA-9- Zamboanga City Office led by Agent Jury Rocamora, AIU, Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU). It yielded a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing more or less 50 grams of crystalline substance believed to be shabu with a market value of P340,000.

Also confiscated were a pistol with ammunition, a motorcycle, a cellphone, 8 different identification cards, a bundle of boodle money, power bank, wallet, keys, and several others. Authorities described the suspect as a notorious drug personality.

In a media interview, Tugbungan barangay chairman Abraham Amit Rojas confirmed reports that the suspect was a known drug personality in the area. (Sheila Covarrubias) (photo credits: John Dalipe-FB page)