Bulacan: A newly identified high-value target in the illegal drug trade was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Bulacan early Tuesday morning, yielding over PHP686,000 worth of suspected shabu.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 2 a.m. operation in Barangay Borol 2nd was spearheaded by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 3 (RPDEU3), with support from the Regional Special Operations Group 3 (RSOG3), Balagtas Municipal Police Station, and the Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Authorities identified the suspect as alias Omar, 36 years old, a resident of Barangay Panginay, Balagtas town. He was caught in possession of 101 grams of suspected shabu with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of PHP686,800. Drug paraphernalia-including a digital weighing scale, lighter, sachets, marked money, and an Android phone-were also recovered at the scene.

Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Ibasco Pe±ones Jr. praised the coordination and execution of the operation, calling it a major gain in the ongoing crackdown on illegal narcotics in Central Luzon. 'This is another significant breakthrough in our relentless anti-illegal drugs campaign. Our message is clear: there is no safe haven for drug personalities in Central Luzon,' Pe±ones said. 'We will continue hitting hard and staying focused.'

The suspect is now under police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.