Marawi City: Authorities arrested a drug peddler and seized PHP13.6 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" in Marawi City, a regional official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Director Gil Cesario Castro identified the arrested suspect as 'Alias Orak,' 21, an alleged drug peddler from Molundo, Lanao del Sur. He was immediately apprehended during the handover of illegal narcotics between him and a PDEA undercover agent in Barangay Bangolo Poblacion, Marawi City, on Sunday afternoon.

Castro stated, 'We had been tailing him for several days before his arrest,' referring to the suspect, who is believed to be a member of a drug syndicate operating in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur.

The suspect is now held at the PDEA detention facility and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Castro acknowledged the contributions of PDEA partners in the operation, which included elements of the 45th Special Action Company, 4th Special Action Battalion, the 51st Infantry Battalion, and the Marawi City Police Station.