A 49-year-old woman identified by authorities as a high-value individual (HVI) was arrested after allegedly being caught with around 80 grams of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Aparri, Cagayan on 17 August.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Ana,” is married, works as a physical therapist, and resides in Barangay Bulala, Camalaniugan, Cagayan, according to the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2).

The operation was conducted in Barangay Punta by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Regional Special Enforcement Team (PDEA-RSET), with support from personnel of the Aparri Police Station.

Authorities recovered two sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 80 grams. The seized drugs were valued at approximately P544,000 based on the standard drug price. An Android mobile phone was also confiscated.

The seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses, including a barangay kagawad and a media representative.

The suspect and the confiscated items were brought to the Aparri Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. She is expected to face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police Regional Office 2 Director PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez said the arrest demonstrated the continuing coordination among the police, PDEA and other law enforcement agencies in efforts to curb the distribution of illegal drugs in the Cagayan Valley.

“Ang pagkakaaresto sa isang high-value individual at pagkakasamsam ng malaking halaga ng ilegal na droga ay bunga ng koordinado at tuloy-tuloy na operasyon ng ating mga law enforcement units. Hindi natin hahayaang makapaminsala sa ating mga komunidad ang ilegal na droga. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang ating kampanya upang mapanagot ang mga sangkot sa gawaing ito at mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan,” Rodriguez said.

PRO2 also urged residents to continue cooperating with authorities and reporting information on illegal drugs and other criminal activities in their communities.

The operation is part of the continuing anti-drug campaign of PRO2 and PDEA in the region.