Police arrested a 50-year-old farmer and seized 3.23 grams of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Pinili, Ilocos Norte on September 27, 2026.

The suspect, identified by police only as a 50-year-old resident of Pinili, was arrested after personnel of the Pinili Municipal Police Station, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office 1, Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Ilocos Norte carried out the operation.

Police said the operation started at about 11:30 a.m. and resulted in the suspect’s arrest at about 2:01 p.m.

Recovered from the suspect were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a total of 3.23 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P21,964.

Police also recovered the buy-bust money, another transparent plastic sachet, a blue lighter, and a Winnsboro cigarette pack containing six sticks of cigarettes.

The suspect is expected to face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police said the seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses and the suspect, in accordance with legal procedures.