Four arrested, 37.8 grams shabu seized in Pangasinan

Four people were arrested in three separate buy-bust operations in Pangasinan that resulted in the confiscation of a total of 37.8 grams of suspected shabu with a combined standard drug price of P243,440.

In Mangatarem, police arrested a 38-year-old farmer who is living with a partner during a buy-bust operation conducted at around 7:11 p.m. on 23 August.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Mangatarem Municipal Police Station in coordination with PDEA Region 1 and the Tactical Intelligence Platform (TIP).

Police recovered 0.40 gram of suspected shabu contained in two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, with a standard drug price of P2,720. One of the sachets was identified as the sold item while the other was recovered as possession evidence.

Also seized were a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money, an Infinix cellphone with a Globe SIM card, and a red TMX Honda 155 motorcycle.

Another buy-bust operation was conducted in Mangatarem at around 9:12 p.m. the same day, resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old married mechanical dryer operator who was also identified as a wanted person under SLI classification.

The operation, conducted by the Mangatarem MPS in coordination with PDEA Region 1 and TIP, yielded 0.40 gram of suspected shabu worth P2,720 based on the standard drug price. The drugs were contained in two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

Authorities also recovered a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money, a mint green Vivo Y27 cellphone with a Talk N Text SIM card, and a yellow-and-black Rusi Passion 125 motorcycle.

Meanwhile, two men were arrested in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, during a separate buy-bust operation conducted at around 3:18 a.m. on August 24.

The operation was led by the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office Drug Enforcement Unit, with personnel from the Provincial Intelligence Unit, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit of PRO1, Police Intelligence Team of Pangasinan RIU1, PDEG SOU1, and Sta. Barbara MPS, in coordination with PDEA Region 1.

Arrested were a 36-year-old single, jobless male identified as a high-value individual, and a 34-year-old married male truck driver. Both are residents of Sta. Barbara.

Police confiscated 35 grams of suspected shabu contained in two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, with a standard drug price of P238,000.

The operation also yielded one P500 bill used as buy-bust money, four P1,000 bills used as boodle money, a Vivo smartphone, and a Rusi Macho motorcycle without a plate number.

Authorities said the inventory and marking of the seized evidence in the three operations were conducted on-site in the presence of the suspects and mandatory witnesses, as required by law.

The four arrested suspects were placed under police custody for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.