Police arrested a 35-year-old construction worker in Cabanatuan City after he was found with suspected shabu worth nearly P400,000 during a buy-bust operation.

Authorities said the suspect is in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) list of high-value individuals.

During the operation in Barangay Barrera on October 5, 2025, operatives recovered one plastic sachet of suspected shabu sold by the suspect, another sachet containing more drugs, and the marked money used in the transaction.

“Meron na rin siyang mga nabebentahan dito sa Cabanatuan City. At actually, 'yung ating suspek is not from Cabanatuan City, he is from a neighboring town dito atin sa Nueva Ecija. So kaya during negotiation, na-convince natin siya through our confidential informant na maki-transact ng illegal drugs,” Cabanatuan City Police chief Lt. Col. Renato Morales said.

In total, police confiscated 55.2 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P375,360.

The suspect is now detained at the Cabanatuan City Police Station and has been charged with illegal drug offenses. He has yet to issue a statement as of press time.