Zamboanga city: Authorities have seized over PHP1.1 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrested several suspects in their intensified anti-drug campaign in Zamboanga Peninsula in August, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit-9 (PDEG SOU-9) reported Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the bulk of confiscated illegal drugs were seized in anti-drug operations in this city. The biggest drug haul involved the arrest of three suspects and the confiscation of PHP605.2 million worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Rio Hondo on August 31. The suspects were arrested in a pursuit operation when they evaded a checkpoint, the SOU-9 said in its report.

The second biggest drug haul took place on August 19, with PHP455.6 million worth of shabu seized from an arrested suspected drug trader in Barangay Bunguiao. Another significant accomplishment involved the arrest of a former soldier turned entrepreneur and the confiscation of PHP27.2 million worth of illegal drugs, also on August 19, in Barangay Canelar.

On August 15, two suspects yielded PHP13.6 million worth of suspected shabu when they were arrested in Barangay Baliwasan, this city. Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta, director of the Police Regional Office-9, stated, ‘We will continue to intensify our (anti-drug) operations to ensure the safety and security of our communities.’