Five arrested in separate Ilocos Norte drug busts; firearms, ammo seized

Police arrested five people in separate anti-illegal drug operations across Ilocos Norte on August 18, 2026, recovering suspected shabu and marijuana with a combined estimated value of more than P76,000, while firearms and ammunition were also seized in separate operations.

In Pasuquin, police arrested a 39-year-old warehouse worker during a buy-bust operation at about 6 p.m. in Barangay 9 Susugaen.

The operation was led by the Pasuquin Municipal Police Station with support from various police intelligence and drug enforcement units and resulted in the recovery of around 0.60 gram of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P4,080.

Police also recovered a genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money and a pack of sugar-free chewing gum peppermints.

The suspect was brought to the custody of the Pasuquin police for documentation and the filing of charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In Laoag City, a 58-year-old man known by the alias “Gunding” was arrested during another buy-bust operation at about 2:49 p.m. in Barangay 57 Pila.

Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of a sachet containing suspected shabu weighing about 1.6 grams, allegedly sold to an undercover officer, and seven other sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 8.1 grams.

The total estimated weight of the suspected shabu was placed at 9.7 grams, including the packaging materials, with an estimated standard drug price of P65,960.

Authorities also recovered a small brown paper bag containing 11 live caliber .45 ammunition, along with a genuine P1,000 bill and a boodle money bill used during the operation.

Police said the seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses. The evidence was brought to the Laoag City Police Station for laboratory and ballistics examination, while documents for the filing of charges under Republic Act 9165 and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, were being prepared.

In Piddig, a 45-year-old farmer was arrested at about 1:50 p.m. in Barangay 14 Calambeg after allegedly selling a sachet containing suspected dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops to a police poseur-buyer.

Police said three additional sachets containing suspected marijuana were recovered from a brown pouch in his possession. A genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money and a black Honda TMX 155 motorcycle were also seized.

The operation was conducted by the Piddig Municipal Police Station with support from PDEA and police intelligence and drug enforcement units.

Meanwhile, a buy-bust operation in Solsona ended without an arrest after the suspect allegedly fled following the drug transaction.

Police said the suspect initially completed the transaction with a poseur-buyer at about 4 p.m. but reportedly realized that he had dealt with a police officer. He then sped away on a motorcycle as arresting officers gave chase.

The suspect allegedly crashed the motorcycle in a forested area, abandoned it and escaped on foot.

Police recovered about one gram of suspected shabu, valued at approximately P6,800, as well as the genuine P1,000 buy-bust money and 10 pieces of P500 boodle money. Solsona police launched a hot-pursuit operation to locate the suspect.

In another operation in Vintar at about 2:18 p.m., police arrested a 57-year-old man, a resident of Barangay 10 San Jose, Laoag City, after he allegedly sold a sachet containing suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer.

Authorities recovered about one gram of suspected shabu from the alleged sale and six additional sachets containing suspected shabu that were allegedly in the suspect’s possession. The seized drugs from the sale alone were valued at about P6,800.

A genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, a lighter, cigarette sticks and personal cash were also recovered.

Separately, police in Badoc seized seven live caliber .45 ammunition during the implementation of a search warrant at a residence in Lacuben at about 5:55 a.m.

The search warrant, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Batac City on August 14, 2026, was related to an alleged violation of Republic Act 10591.

The respondent, a 30-year-old man, reportedly failed to present documentation authorizing him to possess the ammunition.

Police said the ammunition was marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the respondent and barangay officials. The search ended at about 7:55 a.m. without incident, after which the respondent and seized items were brought to the Badoc Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.

The drug suspects remain subject to the filing of appropriate charges, while the seized suspected illegal drugs and ammunition will undergo the required laboratory and ballistic examinations.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.