A high value individual (HVI) in the region was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Pampanga Provincial Office during a buy-bust operation at Barangay Remedios in the town of Lubao, Pampanga on 10 October 2025.

According to PDEA, the 40-year-old male drug peddler identified as alias “Job” was arrested by their personnel along with four pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately 20 grams of shabu valued at P136,000.00, a cellular phone, and the marked money used during the sting operation.

PDEA stated that the arrested suspect is tagged as a high-value target and included in the list of top regional targets, adding that the suspect is one of the major sources of meth (shabu) in Lubao and nearby towns.

Illegal substances will be forwarded to the PDEA-3 laboratory for forensic examination. The apprehended suspect will be temporarily detained at the PDEA jail facility in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The joint operation was conducted through the collaborative efforts of the PDEA Pampanga Provincial Office, the PDEA RO3 Special Enforcement Team (RSET), and the Lubao Police Station.

A non-bailable offense under section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 will be charged against JOB. Section 5 carries the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000.00 to P10-million.