A 29-year-old truck driver who authorities tagged as a major supplier of illegal drugs in Barangay Kapatagan, Digos City, was arrested in a buy-bust operation.

The suspect was listed as the number one priority target of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Police said the suspect was not only transporting vegetables as part of his livelihood but was also allegedly engaged in the distribution of illegal drugs.

Seized from the suspect were sachets of suspected shabu worth more than P140,000.

Police added that the suspect’s alleged modus involved buying and transporting vegetables to Cotabato and Zamboanga, and on his return trips, allegedly transporting illegal drugs from Zamboanga.

“Ang modus ani niya, nagakumpra siya og gulay, ginabyahe niya sa Cotabato ug Zamboanga area then pagbalik niya, didto na siya magdala og iligal nga droga from Zamboanga,” Davao del Sur Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Chief, Capt. Diosdado Niones II, said.

Authorities said the suspect was reportedly capable of distributing up to 50 grams of shabu per week in the area.

“Taod-taod na sab ni siyang na-monitor. Dati, matud pa sa barangay official sa Kapatagan, naka-graduate na kini sa CBRAP, ni-surrender na ni siya pero mibalik sa maong binuhatan gihapon,” Niones added.

Authorities expect that illegal drug activities in the area and neighboring barangays will lessen following the suspect’s arrest.

The suspect is now detained and will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165).