A beautician who has been tagged as a high-value target in the police’s drug watch list was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Tagbilaran City on Thursday afternoon.

The Tagbilaran City police said the operation’s target, identified as Tirso Mahinay, 37, of Barangay Baucan Norte, Balilihan, was caught in possession of 23 grams of suspected shabu.

The seized drugs were estimated to be worth P156,400 based on the value set by the Dangerous Drugs Board.  

Mahinay was apprehended after he was allegedly caught red-handed selling illegal drugs to a police poseur-buyer.

According to authorities, the operation  against Mahinay was set in motion after he was spotted by Tagbilaran police intelligence officers as he sold shabu along M.H. Del Pilar Street in Barangay Poblacion II.

Mahinay admitted to using shabu but denied peddling the illegal substance.

He is now detained at the Tagbilaran City Police Station lock-up jail pending the filing of charges against him for sale and possession of illegal drugs. (wm)