ZAMBOANGA. Authorities seize a shipment of some P1.6 million marijuana bricks following a chased on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Purok 4, Tigpalay village, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. The two people transporting the marijuana bricks managed to escape. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Cops seize P1.6-M shipment of marijuana bricks

Published on:

May 03, 2025, 8:27 am

AUTHORITIES seized marijuana bricks worth about P1.6 million in Zamboanga Sibugay province, police reported Saturday, May 3, 2025.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Zamboanga Peninsula stated that two individuals transporting the drugs escaped. Police found a photocopy of a driver’s license in the vehicle, identifying one as an 18-year-old resident of Maguindanao.

The marijuana bricks were seized after a chase around 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, in Purok 4, Tigpalay village, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, according to the PRO-Zamboanga Peninsula.

Police officers conducting a routine election gun ban checkpoint in San Pedro village, Tungawan, stopped a Sport Utility Vehicle with two occupants. When questioned about boxes in the SUV's rear, the 18-year-old driver sped off, breaking through the checkpoint. This prompted police to pursue the vehicle, coordinating with other checkpoint teams in Tungawan town.

Cornered by the authorities, the driver and his companion abandoned the vehicle and fled into a bushy area.

“Despite immediate pursuit, the suspects evaded arrest,” the PRO-Zamboanga Peninsula said.

Police recovered 14 bricks of dried marijuana, valued at P1,680,000, from the SUV. The vehicle and the confiscated marijuana were given to the proper authorities for documentation and investigation. (SunStar Zamboanga)