By CESAR JOLITO III

A government employee was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Siquijor’s Barangay Canal.

Arrested was a 37-year-old high-value target identified only as alias “Gilbert,” a resident of Barangay Poblacion.

Authorities said the suspect is a government employee holding the position of assistant statistician.

Operatives carried out the operation on Thursday night, February 20, at 8:30 p.m.

Seized from “Gilbert” were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated combined weight of about 0.05 gram.

Also recovered were marked buy-bust money, a motorcycle with a key, and other non-drug items.

The suspect is currently in custody and will face charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./CJ, WDJ