Police arrested two men in separate buy-bust operations in Balaoan and Bauang, La Union on September 12, 2026, recovering suspected marijuana and shabu with a combined estimated street value of P13,840.

In Balaoan, an 18-year-old student and resident of the municipality was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted in Barangay Antonino.

The operation was led by the Balaoan Municipal Police Station, with the La Union Provincial Intelligence Unit, La Union Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office 1, Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 1 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-La Union Provincial Office.

Police said the operation was coordinated with PDEA Regional Office 1.

Recovered from the suspect were two self-sealing transparent plastic sachets containing approximately two grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves with a standard drug price of P240.

Police also recovered an empty Marlboro cigarette pack, an Infinix mobile phone, one genuine P500 bill and seven P500 bills used as boodle money.

Meanwhile, in Bauang, a 27-year-old single tricycle driver and resident of the municipality was arrested in a separate buy-bust operation conducted from 4:20 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The operation was led by the Bauang Police Station with personnel from the La Union Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Intelligence Unit 1, Provincial Intelligence Team of La Union, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Unit and Tactical Support Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1, in coordination with PDEA RO1.

Police said the operation was conducted and resulted in the recovery of two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing approximately two grams of suspected shabu.

The suspected shabu was placed at an estimated standard drug price of P13,600.

Authorities also seized a genuine P500 bill, a P500 boodle money, a Tecno Spark cellphone, a belt bag and a red Pinoy Motoposh 155 motorcycle with sidecar bearing plate number 812 AFH.

Police said the inventory and marking of the seized evidence in both operations were conducted on-site in the presence of the mandatory witnesses as required by law. In the Bauang operation, the suspect was also present during the inventory.

The suspects are expected to face charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, subject to the findings of the investigation and the appropriate action of prosecutors.