By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

BIG HAUL. Law enforcers account for PHP51 million shabu during a buy-bust in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on Friday (Dec. 13, 2024). A suspect known as alias Jotex was arrested. (Photo courtesy of PDEA)

MANILA – Anti-drug operatives arrested a high-value individual (HVI) and seized around PHP51 million worth of shabu in Cebu City early Friday.

In a statement, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said alias “Jotex,” 54, was arrested by the Police Regional Office 7 (Central Visayas) Drug Enforcement Unit, PDEA 7 Regional Special Enforcement Team, Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit, and Cebu City Police Office Station 11 in a buy-bust along Natalio B. Bacalso Avenue in Barangay Mambaling at about 5 a.m.

The suspect yielded eight packs of shabu weighing around 7.5 kg, buy-bust money and other non-drug evidence.

The evidence have been submitted to the PDEA-7 laboratory for chemical analysis and proper disposition.

The suspect is detained at the local PDEA facility and would face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (PNA)