The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a suspected illegal drug trader in Baguio City last 25 April. About P500,000 worth of shabu and two firearms were seized during an operation.

The suspect was identified by the NBI as Anthony Lacbungan Rapanut, who was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by joint operatives of the NBI Cordillera Autonomous Region (NBI-CAR) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency CAR (PDEA-CAR).

The NBI, in a statement yesterday, said that after verification, it was found that Rapanut has no license to own and possess any firearm.

Also, the NBI said that Rapanut "has eluded the NBI-CAR for several months but was inevitably arrested due to the persistent monitoring of the NBI-CAR operatives.”

Rapanut, after his arrest, was charged before the Baguio City prosecutor's office with possession and sale of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms with live ammunition.