BAGUIO CITY — Ilocos region policemen seized over P2 million worth of crystal meth (shabu) from an alleged big-time drug trader in a San Ildefonso barangay in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte on Tuesday afternoon.
The suspect, a 31-year-old welder from Dingras town, according to the Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PPDEU), is a “high-value individual” monitored for selling drugs in bulk.
At least 300 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P2.040 million on three ice bags, and three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets were seized from the drug trader.
Ilocos region police director Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista emphasized the importance of intensified anti-drug efforts, especially during the ongoing election period.
He urged everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities as part of the collective effort to maintain a safe, drug-free, and fair election environment in the Ilocos Region.
At the start of this week, Mr. Evangelista also reported the arrest of two drug traders in Pangasinan and hauling of a total of P136,000 worth of shabu during a drug raid and sting on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18.
Alaminos City policemen with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) Special Operations Unit 1 (SOU1) and the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) of the Ilocos region police caught a 35-year-old cellphone technician from Alaminos City after a raid ordered by the Presiding Judge of the Alaminos City Regional Trial Court. The raid yielded 10 grams of shabu contained in six pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, valued at P68,000.
Meanwhile, a sting operation in Dagupan City, yielded a 44-year-old suspect from Dagupan City, who sold 10 grams of shabu contained in two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets worth P68,000. — Artemio A. Dumlao