AN ALLEGED high-value target (HVT) drug personality was arrested by joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and police in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, an official announced Friday, August 14, 2020.

PDEA Regional Director Emerson Margate identified the arrested suspect as Brian Barrios, 38, an HVT drug personality in Zamboanga del Norte.

Margate said Barrios was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 1:51 a.m. Thursday in Potol village, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte province.

Recovered from the suspect were some P6,800 worth of suspected shabu and P500 marked money.

Margate disclosed that the suspect had been under surveillance before they launched the buy-bust operation.

He said that cases for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being readied against the suspect. (SunStar Zamboanga)