A 30-year-old man was arrested after police allegedly discovered several sachets of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia during a checkpoint operation along the national highway near Barangay 9, San Pedro, Paoay, late Friday night.

Police identified the suspect as Mike Lorence Rosal y Cacatian, single, and a resident of Barangay 31, Sideg, Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

According to the Paoay Municipal Police Station (MPS), personnel led by Officer-in-Charge PCPT Jackson B. Sugayen were conducting a routine checkpoint at around 11:02 p.m. when the suspect was flagged down. While being asked to present his driver’s license and motorcycle registration, authorities said three heat-sealed plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance accidentally fell from the suspect’s license case onto the pavement.

Police officer Pat. Jan Benedict Ramos, who noticed the items, immediately verified the contents and informed the officer-in-charge. The suspect was then arrested in the presence of a videographer and other officers.

Further search allegedly yielded additional suspected shabu from the suspect’s motorcycle compartment and jacket pocket, along with assorted drug paraphernalia and other items. Seized evidence included five more sachets of suspected shabu, two glass tooters, open plastic sachets, plastic containers, two lighters, a black coin purse, a gray weighing scale with box, the suspect’s jacket and driver’s license with leather case, a black Raider 150 motorcycle bearing plate number 945ICT, and cash amounting to Php 7,085.

Police said the total weight of the confiscated suspected shabu was approximately four grams, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P27,200.

The marking, inventory, and photographing of the seized items were conducted at the scene in the presence of required insulating witnesses. Authorities added that the suspect was informed of the charges against him, his constitutional rights, and his right to undergo medical examination.

The suspect is facing charges for violation of Sections 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) and 12 (possession of drug paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.