A mayoralty candidate in Mandaluyong was arrested with five grams of cocaine during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEA media chief Derrick Carreon identified the suspect arrested by anti-narcotics authorities as Ernesto Buan, 28, a resident of No. 604 Cordillera St., Mandaluyong.

Carreon said PDEA agents seized five sachets containing cocaine from Buan during the operation.
The PDEA official said the five grams of cocaine is worth P20,000 on the street.

Carreon said that Buan was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the PDEA’s Metro Manila Regional Office (MMRO) at around 2:24 a.m. Friday in front of the McDonald’s food outlet branch located in Tiendesitas, Ugong, Pasig.

Buan is allegedly running for mayor in Mandaluyong City against the incumbent Mayor Benhur Abalos.

Meanwhile, Carreon said that more details on the operation has been withheld pending the conduct of follow-up operations led by MMRO Director Wilkins Villanueva.

Buan was brought to the PDEA office to undergo a drug test.