A former barangay captain and incumbent barangay councilor in the village of Anonang, Valencia was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Sunday afternoon.

The suspect identified as Erwin Tagupa, 39, ranked fourth in the Valencia police’s drug wacthlist, was spotted by intelligence officers as he was allegedly selling illegal drugs.

Police said that Tagupa sold suspected shabu worth P500 to an undercover cop and was immediately apprehended by Valencia police operatives on standby around the buy-bust area.

The suspect was allegedly caught with three more packets of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

According to Senior Insp. Ardioleto Cabagnot, chief of the Valencia police station, Tagupa is a newly identified drug suspect.

He is included in the list of drug personalities for Oplan Tokhang but did not surrender to authorities.

Charges for possession and sale of illegal drugs will be filed against the suspect who is currently detained at the lock-up jail of the Valencia police. (Willy Maetsrado)