A former director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-National Capital Region (PDEA-NCR), who was previously accused of being involved in illegal drugs during the Duterte administration, was arrested on Wednesday, January 25.

In a video posted by PRTV Tacloban, the officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 8 arrested ex-PDEA chief Erwin Ogario after he showed up at its office.

He is now facing criminal charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an interview with the media, PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Ogario is considered a "high-value target" and the "biggest protector of drugs in the country."

In 2017, former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte released a matrix showing the names of individuals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Ogario is among the top officials named.

He was relieved from his post in 2017 as part of the Duterte administration's internal cleansing effort.