POLICE arrested a former town mayor in Nueva Ecija for alleged possession of shabu worth nearly half a million pesos during a buy-bust operation, authorities said.
The 53-year-old suspect was arrested in the early hours of December 31, 2025, in Brgy. Calipahan, Talavera, Nueva Ecija, according to the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO).
Police said an undercover operative acted as a poseur-buyer and successfully purchased suspected illegal drugs from the former mayor using marked money, which led to his immediate arrest.
Authorities said the suspect had been under police monitoring prior to the operation, following reports linking him to illegal drug activities in the province.
“Actually, nasa HVI watchlist siya pero hindi pa siya parang newly identified pa… ah, street pusher siya,” said Police Colonel Heryl Daguit Bruno, provincial police director.
“Itong suspect natin, ayon sa records, dati siyang mayor ng 2007 to 2010 sa Sto. Domingo,” Bruno added.
Investigators said the suspected supply of illegal drugs allegedly came from the National Capital Region and Bulacan, although they are still working to identify the source.
The former mayor denied the accusations and downplayed the incident, saying, “Konting problema lang.” He is currently in the custody of the Talavera Police Station and will face drug-related charges.
