San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte – A high-value drug suspect was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay 3, San Ildefonso, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. Authorities seized 300 grams of shabu worth P2,040,000, but the suspect denied ownership of the illegal drugs.

A high-impact anti-drug operation led to the arrest of Donden Mark Antonio y Corpuz, also known as Donden Antonio Lanuza, 31, a welder from Barangay Root, Dingras, Ilocos Norte, in the early hours of 18 February 2025. Despite being caught in possession of approximately 300 grams of shabu worth P2,040,000, the suspect refused to comment on the allegations.

The Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PPDEU), led by Police Captain Cristopher Pola and supervised by Police Colonel Frederick Obar, conducted the operation in coordination with the Police Intelligence Unit (PIU), Regional Intelligence Division (RID), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 1 (PDEA-RO1), and the San Nicolas Municipal Police Station (MPS) under Police Captain Randy C. Damo.

The suspect was intercepted during the sting operation after arriving from Cubao and meeting with a poseur buyer. Law enforcement officers seized the illegal substances, which were stored in three ice bags, a medium heat-sealed plastic sachet, and two smaller sachets, amounting to a total of 300 grams of suspected shabu.

Along with the confiscated drugs, authorities also recovered:
🔹 A glass tooter and plastic packaging with white residue
🔹 A digital weighing scale, which the suspect claimed was for weighing motorcycle flyball
🔹 Transparent plastic sachets, a cigarette pack, assorted packaging materials
🔹 A white backpack containing personal belongings

The suspect is now in police custody and faces multiple charges under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). Investigations are ongoing to determine the source and intended distribution of the confiscated drugs.