A TRICYCLE driver yielded P2.7 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in a drug bust Tuesday, February 2, 2021, in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

Arnel Gonzales, 30, was arrested at around 3 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Tabun, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas said on Wednesday, February 3.

He said authorities confiscated from Gonzales nine pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing 400 grams valued at P2.72 million.

Brigadier General Valeriano de Leon, Police Regional Office Central Luzon director, said Gonzales was on the drugs watchlist.

He was allegedly part of a drug syndicate involved in the illegal drug trade in Mabalacat and Angeles cities.

The arrested suspect is now under the custody of the Mabalacat City Police Station.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2020 were being prepared against him.

The drug bust was conducted by the Mabalacat City Drug Enforcement Unit together with PIT-Regional Intelligence Unit 3. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)