ACTOR Julio Diaz (Mariano de Leon in real life) was arrested in a drug bust conducted by the Bulacan police in Meycauayan.

Bulacan Provincial Police Office Director Romeo Caramat Jr. said Diaz was arrested along with a certain Ronald Gomez in Barangay Langka, Meycauayan City, around 12:40 a.m. of Friday, April 20.

He said the arrested suspects conspired in selling a plastic sachet containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P500 to a poseur buyer.

Also recovered from Diaz and Gomez were four pieces of plastic sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 12 grams and a street value of P60,000, assorted drug paraphernalia, and the buy-bust money.

Diaz and Gomez were brought to Bulacan Crime Laboratory Office for appropriate examination, while appropriate criminal charges against them are being prepared for filing in court.

Caramat said Diaz is among the high-value targets of the province.

Earlier, Diaz reportedly went to their barangay to try to clear his name after being implicated in the village's drug watchlist.

Caramat said the operation conducted Friday was part of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office's one time big time anti-drug operations conducted since the midnight of April 19 that resulted in the killing of 13 suspected drug personalities and the arrest of 58 others.

Caramat said 49 anti-drug operations were simultaneously conducted in several areas in the province.

He said the fatalities were killed after they engaged in a firefight with policemen.

Caramat said seized during the said operations were 216 sachets (72.04 grams) of suspected shabu and a brick and 26 sachets of suspected marijuana. The estimated amount of seized illegal drug is P488,439.

Police also recovered 15 firearms, including 12 caliber .38, one caliber 45 pistol, a 9mm pistol, an unknown caliber and one hand grenade. (SunStar Philippines)