A drug suspect tagged as a high-value individual was apprehended in an anti-illegal drugs operation in Taytay, Rizal, on Thursday midnight.

The suspect, identified only by the alias Daniel, 36, was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Taytay Municipal Police Station drug enforcement team in Barangay San Juan at about 11:55 p.m.

Confiscated from the suspect were 150 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P1,020,000, a caliber 9mm pistol, and several drug paraphernalia.

Operatives confirmed that the suspect, listed as a pusher and high-value target, was involved in the illegal drug trade after handing a heat-sealed plastic sachet of suspected shabu to a police officer acting as a poseur-buyer in exchange for buy-bust money, resulting in his immediate arrest.

During the body search, authorities recovered two additional sachets of suspected shabu and one knot-tied transparent plastic pack containing a larger amount of the drug. A caliber 9mm pistol with an accompanying magazine and four bullets were also found inside the suspect’s sling bag.

Another sachet of suspected shabu was found in the compartment of the suspect’s motorcycle along with a weighing scale, P1,000 in recovered cash, and the P1,000 buy-bust money.

The suspect is currently detained at the Taytay Municipal Police Station custodial facility while documents are being prepared for the filing of charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591 or the Firearms Law.

Rizal Police Provincial Director P/Col. Feloteo Gonzalgo emphasized the importance of continued community cooperation and intensified operations against illegal drugs.

"We will not stop the individuals who continue to destroy our youth and community. This successful operation is proof that the Rizal Provincial Police Office is serious about crushing illegal drugs in the province," Gonzalgo said.

"We continue to urge the public to cooperate so that we can more quickly put an end to this type of criminality," the Rizal police chief added.