ILOCOS NORTE — Two separate police operations in Ilocos Norte resulted in the arrest of multiple suspects for drug-related offenses, illegal possession of firearms and theft.

A buy-bust operation conducted by the Pinili Police Station and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 1 led to the arrest of Michael Umadac y Fernandez, 39, a resident of Sitio Surong A, Barangay Upon, Pinili.

Umadac was caught selling a heat-sealed plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance, believed to be shabu, to an undercover police officer. Additional sachets of suspected shabu, a homemade .22 caliber revolver with live ammunition, fired cartridge cases, a cellphone, a wallet, a lighter and a white RUSI motorcycle were confiscated. Police also recovered a marked P1,000 bill used in the operation.

The suspect attempted to flee after realizing the buyer was a police officer. He fired twice before trying to escape on his motorcycle but was shot in the right leg and left ankle by responding operatives. He was taken to Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City for treatment.

The confiscated drug evidence was submitted for laboratory examination, while Umadac faces charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, the firearms law, and the Omnibus Election Code in connection with the Commission on Elections gun ban.

In a separate incident, Laoag City police arrested a student for theft and illegal possession of ammunition at Marcos Stadium.

Victims Ma. Christina Loreto Bobier, Yasmin Andrea Corpuz Guzon and Audrey Gweneth Garde Tabin, all students, reported that their wallets and personal money were stolen while they were practicing for the upcoming SCUAA event.