Manila: A 22-year-old courier allegedly involved in the large-scale distribution of illegal drugs in Metro Manila and Central Luzon was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Friday night that resulted in the seizure of suspected shabu valued at PHP3.4 million. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - Central Luzon identified the suspect only as alias Haji, who was arrested at about 8 p.m. along the Dau Access Road in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PDEA said the man, a suspected big-time drug pusher of shabu across Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon, allegedly used his delivery work as a front for his illegal drug activities. Operatives recovered approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu packed in five knot-tied transparent plastic bags, along with the marked money used in the buy-bust transaction.

The operation was carried out through the joint efforts of the PDEA-Central Luzon Special Enforcement Team, PDEA-Pampanga, and the Mabalacat City Police. The arrested suspect will be temporarily detained at the regional PDEA jail facility, while the confiscated suspected illegal drugs will undergo forensic and confirmatory examination at the regional PDEA's laboratory.

Authorities are preparing charges against the suspect for alleged violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale of dangerous drugs.