Photo courtesy of Jason de Asis/ Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Authorities in Nueva Ecija arrested a high-value drug suspect along with two companions during a buy-bust operation late Tuesday, seizing suspected methamphetamine worth over PHP2 million.
The Talavera Municipal Police Station, together with provincial drug enforcement units, carried out the operation in Barangay Calipahan at around 10:50 p.m., the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) said Wednesday.
The three individuals taken into custody were identified as Maria, 38, a high-value target; Maricris, 25; and Juliet, 53. All are reportedly unemployed.
Police said the operation was prompted after the suspects sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover officer. A subsequent search recovered seven additional sachets, totaling about 300 grams.
An official inventory of the confiscated drugs was conducted on-site with witnesses present, in accordance with legal protocols.
The suspects now face charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, NEPPO added.
Officials noted that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle high-value drug networks and curb illegal narcotics activity in the province.