Ilocos Sur buy-bust ops seize drugs; one suspect wounded

Police arrested three suspected drug personalities and seized illegal drugs worth an estimated P11,628 in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted in Sta. Cruz and Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, on 28 July.

In Sta. Cruz, operatives from the Ilocos Sur Police Drug Enforcement Unit (ISPDEU), in coordination with the Sta. Cruz Municipal Police Station, 2nd Ilocos Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, 103rd Maneuver Company, PIT Ilocos-RIU1, and the Ilocos Sur Police Intelligence Unit, conducted a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of a 30-year-old mechanic.

Authorities recovered two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing approximately 0.71 grams of suspected shabu valued at P4,828. Also seized were the marked P1,000 buy-bust money, a silver RUSI motorcycle, and a green coin purse.

Police said the seized evidence was marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses in compliance with legal procedures.

Meanwhile, a separate buy-bust operation in Tagudin conducted by the Tagudin Municipal Police Station, with support from the 2nd Ilocos Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and the 103rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1, resulted in the arrest of two farmers aged 31 and 47.

Police reported that during the operation, one of the suspects allegedly identified the undercover officer, drew a .45-caliber firearm, and fired at the operating team. The officers returned fire, hitting the suspect in the left leg.

The wounded suspect was immediately secured and brought for medical attention. No police personnel were reported injured during the encounter.

Recovered from the operation were two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing about one gram of suspected shabu valued at P6,800. Authorities also seized the marked P1,000 buy-bust money, a .45-caliber pistol, six live rounds of ammunition, an empty magazine, a black cellular phone, a bolo with its casing, two P500 bills, and other personal items.

Police said all recovered items were properly marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspects and mandatory witnesses.

The arrested individuals are set to face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The suspect involved in the armed encounter may also face additional charges for the alleged attack on law enforcement officers, pending the results of the investigation.