Caloocan City police arrested a suspect in a buy-bust operation Thursday morning, recovering 85 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P578,000.

The suspect, identified as alias “Rommel,” was apprehended along Sta. Rita Street in Barangay 188, according to Caloocan City Police Chief Edcille Canals. Police seized the drugs after poseur buyers purchased five grams of suspected shabu from the suspect.

The recovered drugs were packed in two medium-sized heat-sealed sachets and one small heat-sealed sachet.

Police Lieutenant Restie Mables, head of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Caloocan City Police, said that the suspect was placed under surveillance by police assets for at least a week before the operation took place.

"The suspect revealed that his drug source is located in Phase 12, North Caloocan, from where he sells to customers in Tala and nearby barangays. He also mentioned that whenever he visits his source, the source's parents personally hand him the supply of illegal drugs." Mables said.

“Apparently, our suspect is constantly going in and out of jail due to several charges, while the most recent arrest against him was because of PD 1602 or the anti-illegal gambling law,” the anti-drug head continued.

He added that the suspect disclosed that he is also using illegal drugs.

Rommel is currently detained at the Caloocan City Police Station, awaiting inquest proceedings.