Pangasinan drug operations yield P318,668 worth of suspected shabu; multiple suspects arrested

Police arrested several individuals in separate anti-drug operations across Pangasinan on Oct. 20, seizing a combined 47.78 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P318,668, according to police reports.

The operations, conducted in multiple towns and cities, included buy-bust operations, the implementation of search warrants and a police patrol that led to the recovery of suspected illegal drugs.

In Lingayen, a 47-year-old married fisherman identified as Raul Pinlac Punan was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Lingayen Municipal Police Station from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Police seized two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing 17.5 grams of suspected shabu valued at P119,000. A P500 bill used as buy-bust money was also recovered.

In Dagupan City, two men, aged 57 and 26, were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Police Station 6, the City Intelligence Unit, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 1 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 1.

The operation, conducted from 7:05 p.m. to 8:12 p.m., resulted in the seizure of two sachets containing 12 grams of suspected shabu valued at P81,600.

Authorities also confiscated boodle money, a genuine P500 bill, a blue Oppo cellphone, a brown wallet, a cigarette case and a Keeway motorcycle without a plate number.

In San Fabian, a 36-year-old amusement attendant was arrested after police implemented a search warrant at his residence from 2 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Personnel of the San Fabian Municipal Police Station seized six plastic sachets containing 10 grams of suspected shabu valued at P68,000.

Police also recovered a water pipe, several tube pipes, a pair of scissors, a container holding empty plastic sachets, a coin purse and a lighter.

In Sison, a 40-year-old self-employed man was arrested after a police patrol encountered him and another individual at a dimly lit waiting shed shortly after midnight on Oct. 21.

Police officers approached the pair to check their activities. According to the police report, one of the men picked up a cigarette pack that had fallen to the ground and was also seen retrieving several plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.

The man allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to flee but was eventually subdued. His companion escaped.

Police recovered nine sachets containing three grams of suspected shabu valued at P20,400, along with a P1,000 bill, cigarette packs and sticks, and a Tecno cellphone.

In Sta. Barbara, a 42-year-old single man working as a helper was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the municipal police from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Authorities seized three plastic sachets containing 3.2 grams of suspected shabu valued at P21,760, along with a P500 bill used as buy-bust money.

In Mangatarem, a 32-year-old married housewife was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted from 3:56 p.m. to 4:41 p.m.

Police recovered two sachets containing 0.5 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3,400, a P500 bill used as buy-bust money and a blue pouch.

In Binmaley, a 25-year-old unemployed man was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted from 9:55 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Police seized one sachet containing 0.33 grams of suspected shabu valued at P2,244, along with a P1,000 bill used as marked money.

Meanwhile, in Mangaldan, a 41-year-old incumbent barangay captain identified in the police report as a high-value individual was arrested after authorities implemented search warrants at his residence from 6:55 a.m. to 9:25 a.m.

Police recovered two sachets containing 0.28 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1,904.

The operation involved the implementation of search warrants for 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 Binalonan, police arrested a 26-year-old unemployed man from Baguio City, Benguet, after recovering three grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves valued at P360 from a gray backpack.

The operation was conducted by personnel of the Binalonan Municipal Police Station in coordination with PDEA Pangasinan.

Police said the seized evidence from the operations was inventoried and marked in the presence of the suspects and the required witnesses, in accordance with established procedures.

The arrested individuals face possible charges under the applicable provisions of Republic Act 9165. The suspected illegal drugs will undergo laboratory examination as part of the investigation.