CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union -- Joint operatives from the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a high-value drug personality in Ilocos Sur during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Ayusan Sur, Vigan City.
Police Brigadier General John C. Chua, the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) Regional Director, confirmed on Thursday, Feb. 23, the arrest of Mario Abigana Atalin, a high-value individual and included in the top 10 regional priority targets.
The operatives caught the suspect selling two small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing more or less five grams of ‘shabu’ to the policemen disguising themselves as poseur-buyers.
Chua said the estimated value of the seized illegal drug was P34,000.
Chua lauded the operatives for another successful anti-illegal operation, stressing the PRO 1’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign.
“PRO 1 maximizes its drug clearing operations and focuses police operations on blocking the sources and demands of illegal drugs,” said Chua.
“This is aimed at attaining a drug-free Ilocos Region that will surely transpire into sustainability and progress,” he added.