Dagupan police arrest 22-year-old, seize P75,684 worth of suspected shabu

Police arrested a 22-year-old construction worker and seized about P75,684 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Dagupan City on September 26.

The operation was conducted at around 10:02 p.m. by joint personnel of Police Station 4, the City Intelligence Unit, City Drug Enforcement Unit and PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 1, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 1.

Police identified the arrested suspect as a street-level individual and said he is a resident of Dagupan City.

Authorities recovered two heat-sealed transparent sachets containing suspected shabu, including the drug used as the buy-bust item. The seized substance had a combined estimated weight of 11.13 grams and a reported street drug price of P75,684.

Police also recovered a cigarette case, a cellular phone and the marked and boodle money used in the operation.

The operation was led by personnel of Police Station 4 under PMaj. Vladimer Custer C. Austria, with the Dagupan City Police Office under City Director PCol. Arnold P. Solomon.

Police said body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices were used during the operation. The seized items were inventoried, marked and processed on site in the presence of mandatory witnesses as part of the evidence handling and chain-of-custody procedures.

The suspect was brought to the Region 1 Medical Center in Bonuan Binloc for medical examination before being returned to police custody.

He is facing a possible charge for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, involving the illegal sale of dangerous drugs.

The suspect remains under police custody at the Dagupan City Police Office custodial facility in ABF West, Poblacion Oeste, pending the filing of charges and further legal proceedings.