An alleged high-value target (HVT) was arrested by anti-narcotics authorities while P180,000 worth of suspected "shabu" were seized in a buy-bust operation in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya at dawn on Friday, Jan. 12.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified the suspect as Greg Anthony Mateo Santos, 50, a resident of Las Pinas City.
In a report, the PDEA said that Santos was collared by its operatives along with the local police in Nueva Vizcaya around 4 a.m. in Purok 7, Brgy. Sta Rosa.
During the operation, the PDEA Region II Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Office and the local police confiscated around five grams of suspected shabu from the suspect during the transaction.
An additional 55 grams of suspected shabu were also seized in the suspect’s possession when he was frisked, according to PDEA.
In total, authorities seized 60 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect which were valued at P180,000.
PDEA said that the suspect has been placed under intense surveillance after the agency received information about his alleged illegal activities from a tipster.
Authorities also recovered one genuine P1,000 bill and 14 pieces of boodle money which was used in the buy-bust, one backpack, a sunglasses case, assorted bus tickets and two cellular phones from the suspect.
Santos faces charges for violation of Sections 5 (sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as "The Comprehensive dangerous Drugs Act of 2002."