Laoag City police arrested a 33-year-old cellphone repair technician in an anti-illegal drug buy-bust operation in Barangay 7-B, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, at about 2:28 p.m. on 27 January 2026.

The operation was led by personnel of the Laoag City Police Station and resulted in the arrest of the suspect, who is married and a resident of Barangay 5, Laoag City, but is currently staying in Barangay 7-B.

Police said the suspect was apprehended after selling one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 1.6 grams of a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu to a police poseur-buyer.

Authorities recovered the buy-bust item and two additional heat-sealed plastic sachets containing an estimated 1.8 grams of suspected shabu. Also seized were a genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, a blue disposable lighter, a black purse containing P1,170 in various denominations and two old coins, and a brown cardholder with assorted cards and identification cards.

The suspect and the confiscated evidence were brought to the Laoag City Police Station for proper documentation and disposition. He was also taken to the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital for medical examination, while the seized drug items were submitted for laboratory examination.

Police said the total estimated weight of the confiscated suspected shabu, including tape and plastic material, is 3.4 grams. Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the suspect.