A coordinated anti-drug operation in Barangay Abaca, Bangui, Ilocos Norte, led to the arrest of a 51-year-old local resident on 5 February, authorities said.

Police said the buy-bust operation was carried out at about 11:30 a.m. by personnel of the Bangui Municipal Police Station, with support from the Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Intelligence Unit–Ilocos Norte, the Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Laoag, and the 101st Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1.

The suspect, described as a single and unemployed resident of Barangay Abaca, was arrested after allegedly selling one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu to a police poseur-buyer.

Authorities said the arrest stemmed from a violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Recovered from the suspect were the P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money and four additional heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The seized drugs had an estimated total weight of about 1.5 grams.

Police said the operation and inventory of seized items were conducted in the presence of required witnesses. The suspect remains in the custody of the Bangui Municipal Police Station while charges are being prepared.