A man previously arrested for a drug charge allegedly yielded several packs of shabu worth almost P1.5 million during a police anti-drug operation in Tagbilaran City on Tuesday noon.

Police said that the suspect, identified as Moises Abing, 46, a resident of Gallares Street, Poblacion II in Tagbilaran City, was arrested near his residence at 12:30 p.m. through a buy-bust operation.

Personnel of the Tagbilaran City police intelligence section spotted Abing as he was allegedly selling illegal drugs near his house, prompting authorities to set the operation in motion.

Abing was caught red-handed selling shabu worth P500 to an undercover agent, police said.

The suspect ran and attempted to evade apprehension but was immediately subdued by arresting officers. Police then found in his possession 127 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,498,600.

However, Abing told authorities that the seized drugs were not his.

He claimed that the drug stash was only left to him by a person whose identity has yet to be pinpointed by authorities.

According to Tagbilaran City police chief Supt. Patricio Degay, Abing surrendered under Oplan Tokhang but continued to sell illegal drugs.

Abing was arrested for illegal drug possession in 2016 but was released from detention after posting bail.

He is now detained at the Tagbilaran City police lock-up facility as authorities prepare to file charges against him for violations against the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (W. Maestrado)