Separate anti-drug operations conducted in San Nicolas and Pasuquin towns in Ilocos Norte led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of suspected shabu, firearms, ammunition, and other illegal items, police authorities reported.

In San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, a buy-bust operation was carried out at around 10:30 a.m. on 23 January in Barangay 6, San Marcos. The operation was led by personnel of the San Nicolas Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 1.

The operation resulted in the arrest of a 36-year-old, single male, a native of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Ballesteros, Cagayan, and presently residing in Barangay 6, San Juan Bautista, San Nicolas, after he was allegedly caught in the act of selling one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu to a poseur buyer.

Recovered and confiscated from the suspect were one additional heat-sealed plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, one genuine one-thousand-peso bill used as buy-bust money, one red pouch, one black OPPO mobile phone, and one black Euro Daan Hari 150 motorcycle with makeshift sidecar (kurong-kurong). The marking and inventory of the seized items were conducted at the site in the presence of insulating witnesses.

Meanwhile, in Pasuquin, an anti-drug buy-bust operation was conducted at around 1:38 p.m. on 24 January in Barangay Sulbec by personnel of Pasuquin Police Station.

Two suspects were arrested during the operation: a 42-year-old, single, watchman, native of Camiling, Tarlac, and currently residing in Barangay Caruan, Pasuquin, and a 41-year-old, married, backhoe operator and resident of Barangay Barbaqueso, Carasi, Ilocos Norte. The suspects were allegedly caught selling one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 0.15 gram.

Authorities also confiscated three small heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated total weight of 0.45 gram, one genuine one-thousand-peso bill used as buy-bust money, one belt bag, one cricket lighter, two pieces of rolled aluminum foil, one caliber .22 revolver without serial number, five live rounds of caliber .22 ammunition, and personal belongings.

The Pasuquin operation was conducted in the presence of insulating witnesses from the media and a barangay official of Barangay Sulbec.

Appropriate charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, are being prepared against the suspects.