Zamboanga city: Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and its partner law enforcers seized suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP34 million, and arrested a public utility jeepney (PUJ) dispatcher during an anti-drug operation in this city on Friday evening.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bryan Babang, director of PDEA 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), reported that alias Randy, 35, a resident of Barangay Talon-Talon, was apprehended during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Culianan at about 6:10 p.m. The operation resulted in the seizure of 5 kg of suspected shabu, which were packed in five plastic packs.

Babang noted, 'During the inventory of the pieces of evidence seized from him, Randy ran toward a grassy area under cover of darkness but was cornered by PDEA operatives.' This indicates the suspect's attempt to evade arrest, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Authorities are currently investigating whether Randy has connections with two other suspects who were arrested earlier in a sting operation in Barangay Cabatangan on Friday afternoon. The operation in Cabatangan led to the confiscation of 3 kg of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP20.4 million.

All the suspects involved are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.