SLIs nabbed in Ilocos Norte drug buy-bust

Police arrested two alleged street-level drug personalities in a buy-bust operation in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, on Sunday, 22 February.

Authorities identified the suspects as Jomarie Ranche y Tugadi, 26, married, unemployed, and a resident of Brgy. Paltit, Badoc; and Aldrin Fernandez y Mateo, 25, in a live-in relationship, a construction worker, and a resident of Brgy. Parang, Badoc. Both are listed as Street Level Individuals (SLI) in the local drug watchlist.

From 10:39 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., joint operatives from the Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PPDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Regional Intelligence Division (RID), 101st RMFB1, and Badoc Municipal Police Station, in coordination with PDEA-RO1, conducted a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Paltit, Badoc.

The suspects were allegedly caught in the act of selling a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

Authorities seized approximately 2 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of Php 13,600, divided into six heat-sealed sachets—one for the alleged sale and five additional sachets recovered from Fernandez. Non-drug items confiscated included one genuine Php 1,000 bill (serial number AR7445352) and five counterfeit Php 1,000 bills used as buy-bust money, one Oppo cellphone from Ranche, one open transparent plastic sachet, and one yellow cigarette lighter from Fernandez.

Police said the entire operation was documented with two body-worn cameras. The inventory and marking of seized items were conducted at the transaction and arrest site in the presence of the suspects and required witnesses, in compliance with existing laws and procedures. Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against the suspects.