ROSARIO, La Union – Drug charges are set to be filed here against a suspected drug dealer, who tried to evade law enforcers at a police checkpoint, and yielded P500,000-worth of shabu in Barangay Udiao on Wednesday, January 6.
The suspect was identified as Chuck Sawadan Araos, 37, a resident of Barangay Agat, Sison, Pangasinan.
According to Rosario Police Chief Maj. Garry Casem they set up a checkpoint in Barangay Udiao after they received information about the suspicious behavior of a suspect riding a blue motorcycle which did not have a license plate. The suspect was said to be coming from Agoo town.
Casem said Araos was spotted nearing the checkpoint when he veered away and stopped at a motorcyclists’ stall.
Policemen immediately gave chase, and cornered the suspect after he ran into an oncoming tricycle.
Seized from Araos were sachets of shabu weighing about 80 grams, with an estimated value of P544,000, and other drug paraphernalia.
Casem added that Araos was a known drug dealer, and was on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) watchlist. He had also been arrested several times before for alleged illegal drugs activities.
The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Sections 11 and 12 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police are still conducting investigation to find out the possible accomplices of the suspect.