Police arrested six suspects and seized suspected shabu and marijuana in a series of anti-illegal drug operations conducted in different parts of La Union on September 21.

The operations in Bangar, Aringay, Bauang, Naguilian and Agoo also resulted in the seizure of a firearm, motorcycles and other items allegedly used in the drug trade.

In Bangar, police arrested a 47-year-old man during the implementation of search warrants at around 5:17 a.m.

The operation was conducted by personnel of the Bangar Police Station, Regional Intelligence Division, La Union Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, La Union Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 1.

Police seized five grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P34,000, contained in four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

A caliber .22 revolver with a wooden handle, one live caliber .22 ammunition and an improvised transparent plastic ballpen barrel were also confiscated.

The search warrants covered alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

In Aringay, police arrested a 40-year-old woman and recovered two grams of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation at around 1:30 p.m.

Police said the woman, who is married and unemployed, was a resident of La Union. A male cohort, identified as a resident of Aringay and of legal age, reportedly evaded arrest.

The operation yielded two grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P13,600, contained in three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

Police also confiscated a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money, four photocopied P1,000 bills, a black-and-white pouch, a Vivo Y21 cellular phone and a black-and-red Rusi motorcycle.

In Bauang, two men were arrested during a buy-bust operation at around 3:20 p.m.

The suspects, aged 29 and 22, were both single and residents of San Fernando City. One was identified as a laundry staff member while the other was a service crew worker.

Police seized 10 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops, valued at P1,200, contained in six self-sealing transparent plastic sachets.

Other items recovered included a genuine P500 bill, a P1,000 boodle bill, a black coin purse, a green lighter, two cellular phones and a black Yamaha Mio Sporty motorcycle without a plate number.

In Naguilian, police arrested a 45-year-old driver at around 10:55 p.m. during a buy-bust operation.

Authorities recovered two grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P13,600 and 2.14 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves valued at P321.

The suspected drugs were contained in heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

Police also seized a blue-and-black sling bag, folded aluminum foil, a black wallet, a genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, two other P1,000 bills, a black Vivo cellular phone and an Isuzu passenger jeepney.

In Agoo, two men were arrested during another anti-illegal drug operation at around 10:20 p.m.

The suspects, aged 47 and 51, were both residents of Agoo. One was identified as a cargo handler while the other was a construction worker.

Police recovered 10 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P68,000, contained in four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

Also confiscated were a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money, a black coin purse, pieces of paper and candy wrappers allegedly used to wrap the suspected drugs, cigarettes, a glass totter, an eco bag, a weighing scale, scissors, a leather wallet, a Tecno cellular phone and a black TVS motorcycle without an attached plate number.

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

The arrested suspects are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165, while additional charges under RA 10591 may be filed in cases involving firearms.

The operations involved local police units, intelligence and drug enforcement personnel in coordination with the PDEA Regional Office 1.