ORION, Bataan — The Bataan police scored a major win in their fight against illegal drugs after arresting a woman caught in the act of selling suspected shabu worth over ₱P686,000 in Barangay Villa Angeles on Saturday afternoon.

Bataan Provincial Police director Col. Marites A. Salvadora identified the suspect as Maria Victoria Deang y Arenas, 52. She now faces charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“This is part of our intensified campaign to rid our communities of illegal drugs,” Col. Salvadora said. “The arrest of this suspect sends a strong message that we are serious in our efforts to make Bataan a safer province.”

The operation was conducted by a joint team from the Bataan Drug Enforcement Unit, Orion Municipal Police Station, 2nd Mobile Force Company, and the Bataan Intelligence Unit.

Based on the police report, the suspect sold a heat-sealed sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer in exchange for ₱P1,000 in marked money. After the transaction, police immediately arrested her and conducted a protective search.

Authorities recovered another knot-tied transparent plastic bag containing suspected shabu, along with the marked money. The seized drugs weighed approximately 101 grams, with a total estimated street value of ₱P686,800.

“This was a well-coordinated operation, and we are glad it ended without any complications,” said Major Madtaib Jalman, Orion Chief of Police. “We will remain relentless in our operations to keep illegal drugs off our streets.”

The suspect was informed of her constitutional rights and was brought to the Orion police station for booking and further investigation. Appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court.

“This is just the beginning,” added Col. Salvadora. “We are committed to going after those who continue to peddle illegal drugs and destroy the lives of our kababayan.”