Authorities intercepted a major local drug supplier after arresting a 36-year-old high-value individual and confiscating more than 54 grams of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Muntinlupa City on early Friday morning.

The suspect—identified only by the alias Paolo, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City—now faces formal criminal complaints for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Acting on verified intelligence regarding high-volume illicit drug transactions, the Muntinlupa City Police Station's Drug Enforcement Unit tactical team deployed a poseur-buyer to secure a transaction with the suspect. Upon the completion of the illegal sale, standby personnel immediately closed in to secure the area and execute the arrest.

Recovered from the suspect were three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu. The seized narcotics weighed approximately 54 grams, yielding an estimated standard drug price value of P367,200.

Additionally, police recovered the genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, alongside seven pieces of P1,000 denomination boodle money used to facilitate the transaction.

The suspect was brought to the Station Drug Enforcement Unit office for booking and dynamic investigation.

The confiscated evidence is being processed for laboratory examination, while the case files are being finalized for immediate referral to the City Prosecutor's Office for inquest proceedings.