A JOINT anti-drug police operation led to the arrest of a 44-year-old Malaysian tourist in Dolores town, Eastern Samar over the weekend.

Lee Kuok Tiing, businessman and high-value individual from Sarawak, Kuching, Malaysia, was arrested at 1:55 p.m. Saturday, February 1 at Barangay 2, of the said town.

Purchased from the suspect was one small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), police said.

Confiscated from his possession and control were one medium heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected “shabu” with an estimated value of P5,000; one piece P1,000 bill used as drug bust money.

Also confiscated from the suspect were one pack of agarwood weighing one half kilo with an estimated value of P 50,000, two pieces 50 Malaysian ringgit, one piece five Malaysian ringgit, one piece 10 Malaysian ringgit, another money of different denominations, power bank and cellphone, two pieces weighing scales, sling bag, and assorted documents.

The suspect is now facing charges in violation of section 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

Leading the operation was Dolores Municipal Police Station acting chief-of-police Major Rommel Cesista, Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit captain Tyrone Mark Cartalla, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Eastern Visayas. (SunStar Philippines)