A 25-year-old man from Badoc was arrested Tuesday afternoon in a buy-bust operation conducted by joint police operatives in Barangay Ablan Poblacion (Lacubao), Batac City.

At around 12:03 p.m. Tuesday, the Badoc Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Maritime Police and Batac City Police Station, carried out an anti-illegal drug operation that led to the arrest of Nikko Angelo Galut y Discartin, a single, unemployed resident of Barangay Garreta, Badoc. He is classified as a street level individual in the drug watchlist.

According to authorities, Galut was caught in the act of selling one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a substance believed to be shabu to a police poseur buyer.

Recovered from the suspect were six plastic sachets of suspected shabu — five sealed and one opened — along with one marked P1,000 bill (serial number AG941135) used as buy-bust money. Police also confiscated a Mighty cigarette box, a Marlboro Gold cigarette box, an Oppo cellular phone and a Cricket lighter believed to be in his possession during the operation.

Marking and inventory of the seized items were conducted at the scene of the transaction, in accordance with standard procedures, and witnessed by representatives from the barangay and the media. The process was documented using two Alternative Recording Devices, as required under Republic Act 9165, as amended.

The suspect is currently under police custody while charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are being prepared.