ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 26 -- A resident of Sulu province was arrested here in possession of shabu worth PHP19 million, the police reported Sunday.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) said alias "Ben" of the island town of Lugus was arrested in a buy-bust around 8:40 p.m. Saturday in Nangka Drive, Barangay Baliwasan.

Seized during the anti-drug operation were 2.8 kilograms of suspected shabu packed in three vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packs, marked money and a sling bag.

The arrested suspect is now under the custody of the Zamboanga City Police Station 6 in preparation for the filing of appropriate charges.

Authorities are investigating whether Ben has ties with the three drug suspects separately arrested Friday in this city....