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.

In Agoo, police arrested a 33-year-old construction worker and resident of Santo Tomas, La Union, in a buy-bust operation that began at 11:40 p.m. Thursday, 20 August.

The operation was conducted 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 three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing about one gram of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P6,800.

Authorities 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 1:20 a.m. Friday, August 21.

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.

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

Also seized were 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 at the scene in the presence of the suspects and mandatory witnesses, in accordance with legal procedures.

The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.