Authorities on Friday reported the arrest of a tattoo artist who yielded marijuana oil vape cartridges and dried marijuana leaves in a buy-bust operation Thursday afternoon.

The Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Caloocan City Police, under the supervision of Police Lieutenant Restie Mables, conducted the operation in Barangay 28.

The suspect, identified as alias “Tengko,” was considered a high-value individual (HVI).

“His usual area of operation is around Caloocan City and Quezon City, so our suspect really goes out of his way,” Mables said.

Recovered evidence included 1.5 kilograms of suspected dried marijuana leaves and 19 assorted-colored vape cartridges labeled “TINY 2 GRAM.” The seized dried marijuana has an estimated street value of P180,000.

Mables said that initial investigation revealed the suspect obtains his supply of vape cartridges from an unidentified woman in Sucat, Parañaque, and personally picks up the items. He added that each vape cartridge sells for at least P7,000.

“Tengko sells the vape cartridges in a discreet way — usually through online and his contact persons,” Mables continued, noting that there was no evidence the illegal drugs were being sold through the suspect’s tattoo business.

The head of the Caloocan PNP anti-drug unit emphasized the significance of the arrest, particularly given the prevalence of vaping among young adults.

“This arrest has been significant in order to lessen the drug pushers and to protect the teens and young adults, especially since vapes are now easily accessible nowadays,” the police official said.

“Tengko” will undergo inquest proceedings and faces charges for violating Sections 5 (sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs), 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), and 12 (possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.