Two men were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Agoo, La Union, and Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, early Friday, with police recovering more than seven grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated P48,756.

In Agoo, a 33-year-old construction worker from Santo Tomas, La Union, was arrested in a buy-bust operation that began at about 11:40 p.m. on 20 August.

The operation was led by the Agoo Municipal Police Station, with personnel from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Intelligence Division 1, Tactical Support Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1, PDEA La Union and the La Union Provincial Intelligence Unit

Police recovered one gram of suspected shabu in three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, with an estimated street value of P6,800. They also seized an OPPO mobile phone and a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money.

In Magsingal, a 42-year-old married man and resident of the municipality was arrested in a separate operation that began at about 1:20 a.m. on 21 August.

The operation was conducted by the Magsingal Municipal Police Station with personnel from the Regional Intelligence Division, Police Regional Office 1, Ilocos Sur Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Ilocos Sur Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the police stations of Cabugao and Sto. Domingo.

Authorities recovered 6.17 grams of suspected shabu in three heat-sealed plastic sachets, with an estimated street value of P41,956.

Other items seized included a genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, a Vivo mobile phone, a black sling bag, a black-and-brown coin purse and a white tissue.

Police said the seized evidence from both operations was marked and inventoried on-site in the presence of the suspects and required witnesses.

The suspects were taken into police custody and are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.