Ormoc city: Police authorities arrested a regional high-value drug target and seized nearly PHP7 million worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Ormoc City on Thursday. In a statement, the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) said arrested during an operation in Barangay South, Ormoc City was a 51-year-old driver identified only by the alias 'Tan,' an Ormoc City resident listed as a high-value individual under the regional priority target list.

According to Philippines News Agency, authorities confiscated six heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, one knot-tied plastic cellophane, and one blue plastic bag wrapped with masking tape containing suspected shabu. The seized illegal drugs weighed about 1,029 grams and had an estimated street value of PHP6.997 million based on the valuation of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Police said the evidence was marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the witnesses. Charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the suspect.

PRO-8 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy commended the operating units and partner agencies for the successful operation, saying it underscores the police force's intensified campaign against illegal drugs. 'This operation reflects our strong resolve to eliminate illegal drugs. We will continue intensifying intelligence-driven operations to keep our communities safe and secure,' Capoy said.

The arrest is a result of joint efforts of operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit-8, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 8, the Ormoc City Police Station 1 Station Drug Enforcement Team, and Sniffer K9 Security Solutions and Training Center Inc.