Police arrested a former town mayor in Nueva Ecija after allegedly finding him in possession of shabu worth nearly half a million during a buy-bust operation.

The 53-year-old former mayor was arrested in the early hours of December 31, 2025, in Barangay Calipahan, Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Police said an undercover operative acted as a poseur-buyer and purchased alleged illegal drugs successfully from the suspect using marked money, which led to the suspect’s immediate arrest.

According to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, the suspect was being monitored prior to the operation.

“Actually, nasa HVI watchlist siya pero hindi pa siya parang newly identified pa… ah, street pusher siya,” PCOL. Heryl Daguit Bruno, provincial police director, said.

“Itong suspect natin, ayon sa records, dati siyang mayor ng 2007 to 2010 sa Sto. Domingo,” he added.

Investigators said the suspected supply of illegal drugs allegedly came from the National Capital Region and Bulacan, but authorities are still working to identify the source.

The suspect denied the accusations. When asked about the case, he said, “Konting problema lang.”

The former mayor is now in the custody of the Talavera Police Station and will face charges drug charges.