Authorities seized around P43 million worth of high-grade marijuana, also known as “kush,” during a drug buy-bust operation in Taytay, Rizal, on Thursday morning.

The operation was conducted by the drug enforcement team of the Taytay Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, in Barangay Dolores at around 6:30 a.m.

The suspect was arrested after handing over a resealable plastic sachet containing high-grade kush to a police officer acting as a poseur-buyer in exchange for P5,000 in marked money inside his residence.

During the arrest, operatives noticed a bulk of suspected illegal drugs placed on top of a table inside an open box, as well as a travel luggage allegedly filled with contraband.

Confiscated from the suspect were 35 kilos of suspected high-grade kush, 23 kilos of suspected dried marijuana leaves, 80 mini boxes containing about 1,600 cartridges of liquid marijuana, and 40 small boxes containing vapes and 200 boxes of suspected marijuana juices. The total estimated value of the seized items was P43,860,000.

Also recovered were non-drug evidence, including the P5,000 marked money, three large boxes, a nylon bag, a black plastic box, a weighing scale, a maroon travel luggage, a passport, and a suspected fake driver’s license.

The suspect, now detained at the Taytay Municipal Police Station custodial facility, will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.