A drug pusher was arrested by police early Wednesday after selling illegal drugs to a poseur-buyer.

The buy-bust operation was conducted in Barangay Bignay in Valenzuela around 3 a.m.

Based on information obtained from the District Drug Enforcement Unit of the Northern Police District (NPD-DDEU), operatives recovered an estimated 80 grams of suspected shabu, which has an equivalent street value of ₱544,000.

The suspect, identified as “Renel,” a construction worker, is a repeat drug offender.

Police Lt. Victorino Ledesma, assistant chief of NPD-DDEU, said Renel was arrested in 2014 and 2021 in Meycauayan, Bulacan, for drug-related charges.

"He was acquitted in 2014, then convicted in 2021 after entering a plea, and was released in 2023,” he said.

Ledesma added that the accused said his drug source is from Meycauayan, Bulacan, and that transactions are done through a consignment deal.

"The suspect was being supplied with drugs by an acquaintance, and he would only pay once the drugs were sold, so there wasn’t much pressure on him to pay immediately."

The police officer also described Renel as “a person with a high sense of security” because he only sells illegal drugs to trusted buyers.

In an interview, Renel admitted to the claims, saying he sells illegal drugs to support his wife, who is battling breast cancer.

"Even though I have a job, it’s not enough, so I needed an easy source of money for my wife and for my daily needs,” the accused said.

Renel added that he lost his job around March after they ran out of construction materials.

The suspect also tested positive for illegal drugs after undergoing a drug test.

"I use it for work — it helps me last longer and not get tired as easily."

Renel will remain in the custody of the Northern Police District as he faces charges in violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act No. 9165.