1 nabbed, P455.6-M ‘shabu’ seized in Zamboanga City

HUGE HAUL. Police operatives account for the PHP455.6 million worth of suspected shabu from an alleged big-time illegal drug trader in Zamboanga City on Tuesday evening (Aug. 19, 2025). The suspect yielded 67 kilos of suspected shabu (inset) in his vehicle when apprehended following a car chase on the outskirts of the city. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City Police Office)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have arrested an alleged big-time illegal drug dealer and seized PHP455.6 million suspected shabu following a chase in the city on Tuesday evening.

Col. Narciso Paragas, the assistant director for operations of the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9), identified the arrested suspect as alias Mohammad Ikram, 46, a resident of Barangay Divisoria here.

Ikram was arrested around 8:30 p.m. in Zone 1, Barangay Bunguiao, some 35 kilometers east of the city proper.

"The suspect was cornered when the vehicle he was driving fell into a rice field," said Councilor Frederick Atilano, chairperson of the City Council's Committee on Peace and Order, in an interview with reporters following the incident relayed to him by the PRO-9.

Ikram's wife and son, who were with him in the vehicle, sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital. The suspect's hand was also fractured.

Paragas said a chase ensued when the suspect sensed he was transacting illegal drugs with undercover policemen. He immediately sped off, but police agents pursued his vehicle.

During the chase, checkpoints were set up throughout the city, and the suspect evaded when he saw a checkpoint in Barangay Sangali, leading him to travel to Bunguiao, an interior village.

Seized from the suspects were two luggage containing 67 kilos of suspected shabu.

The suspect told the police that he was supposed to transport the illegal drugs for a fee to Iligan City.

The police are investigating whether the suspect has ties with the high-value target (HVT) who was arrested in a buy-bust early Tuesday in Barangay Canelar.

The HVT yielded some PHP27.2 million worth of suspected shabu. (PNA)

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