DRUG STING. Three suspects yield PHP13.6 million worth of shabu in Zamboanga City on Wednesday (Sept. 18, 2024). The suspects include a policeman, a Coast Guard member, and a woman. (Photo courtesy of RDEU-9)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police nabbed three individuals, including a police officer and a Philippine Coast Guard member, and seized PHP13.6 million worth of shabu in an anti-drug operation here, authorities said Thursday.
Col. Romeo Espero Jr., deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9), identified the suspects as Staff Sergeant Siddih Aliuddin Jr., 44; Seaman First Class Mohammad Abbas, 30; and Mardie, Aliuddin's wife and Abbas’ sister.
“It took several days to convince them to finalize the transaction as they were elusive,” Espero said during a local radio interview.
The trio was apprehended during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday along the highway in Zone 6, Barangay Boalan.
Aliuddin is assigned to the Regional Headquarters Service Unit of PRO-9, while Abbas serves at the Coast Guard Station Isabela City, Basilan.
Seized from the suspects were two kilos of shabu, boodle money, and a car from the suspects.
The group allegedly sourced the illegal drugs from Tawi-Tawi, according to police.
Wednesday's operation marked the largest drug haul in Zamboanga City and the Zamboanga Peninsula this month. (PNA)
