Mayor Khymer Olaso commends operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-9, Zamboanga City Police Office, Task Force Zamboanga and other agencies for their strong coordination and vigilance that led to the seizure of four kilos of shabu valued at P27 million in a buy-bust operation in Canelar Tuesday, August 19.

The operation was jointly conducted by PDEA-9, the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), City Intelligence Unit (CIU), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ), as part of the city’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign.

Mayor Olaso proceeded to the buy bust operation site to personally convey his gratitude and appreciation to the operatives, as he reaffirmed his firm stance against illegal drugs. “We don’t want drugs [to proliferate] in Zamboanga City. That’s unacceptable,” Olaso emphasized.

The mayor assured that city government, together with PDEA-9 will sustain joint operations and strengthen coordination among law enforcement units to safeguard communities and protect residents from the threats of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, authorities said the suspect in the buy bust operation that took place near a gasoline station at Mayor Jaldon Street in Canelar, attempted to sell the illegal drugs to undercover agents, prompting the swift operation that led to the confiscastion of the contraband.

Recovered during the operation were four vacuum-sealed packs of suspected shabu weighing approximately 4,000 grams. The seized items were concealed in Chinese tea and Guanyinwang-labeled packaging – a method consistent with drug trafficking networks. Also confiscated were a Nissan Navarra Vehicle, boodle money topped with genuine P1,000 bills, mobile phones, National ID and other non-drug evidence.

The suspect was immediately taken into custody and is now facing charges for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Arvin Midel) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)