A man tagged as a high-value drug target (HVT), along with his female suspected associate in the narcotics trade, was arrested for alleged sale of illegal drugs in Tagbilaran City.

The duo was apprehended through a buy-bust operation in Sitio Antipolo, Barangay Dampas at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, police said.

The operation against Gerard Sarabia, 31, of Barangay Dampas was set in motion after intelligence officers of the Tagbilaran police allegedly spotted him as he sold illegal drugs in the said village.

Sarabia allegedly sold shabu worth P500 to a poseur-buyer leading to his arrest.

Janet Basibas, 27, of Barangay Dampas in Tagbilaran, who was with Sarabia during the operation was also arrested for conspiracy to sell illegal drugs.

Police said that operatives found in Sarabia’s possession seven grams of shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P47,600.

According to police, Sarabia is a Level 1 HVT.

High value targets are classified as level 1, 2, and 3, with 3 as the highest and 1 as the lowest.

Sarabia who is now under Tagbilaran police custody will be facing cases for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly selling and possessing illegal drugs (Sections 5 and 11). (WM)