A 45-year-old construction worker classified as a High-Value Individual (HVI) was arrested early Wednesday morning, September 9, 2026, after a buy-bust operation yielded over 60 grams of suspected shabu in Barangay Punturin.
Operatives from the Northern Police District Drug Enforcement Unit (NPD-DDEU) executed the targeted anti-illegal drug operation at around 4:49 AM.
The sting led to the immediate apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of two plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.
According to police estimates, the seized drugs weighed approximately 63.6 grams, carrying an estimated standard street value of ₱432,480.
The NPD confirmed that the operation was carried out in full coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and adhered strictly to proper legal protocols, with mandatory witnesses present during the inventory and documentation of the evidence.
The suspect remains in NPD-DDEU custody and faces charges for violating Sections 5 (Sale) and 11 (Possession), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, ahead of formal inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
NPD officials highlighted the arrest as part of their broader framework for responsive law enforcement, reaffirming their commitment to intensified police visibility, proactive public safety, and sustained anti-criminality campaigns across the region.
