LAOAG CITY - Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a 17-year-old cigarette lighter vendor for selling illegal drugs Tuesday morning.

The boy was nabbed during a buy bust operation in the city's commercial complex. Found in his possession were four heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu, the P500 marked money and a cellphone.

Supt. Edwin Balles said the teenager, identified only as "Jeff", pretends to sell cigarette lighters as a cover for the illegal activity.

For his part, the teenager admitted that he had been selling shabu for about a year now to earn extra money for school.

He is now in the city's drug watchlist and the second minor drug pusher arrested this year. The first is a 15-year-old boy.

Authorities said there are still many minor drug suspects being monitored. Police believe big time drug personalities use them to peddle illegal drugs in the city.

The minor was turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development office and if found that he acted with discernment in selling drugs, appropriate charges will be filed against him.