CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union — An 18-year-old student from Cavite was arrested and P680,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Olo-Olo Norte, Santiago, Ilocos Sur on Monday.
The suspect, whose name was withheld pending the filing of formal charges, was apprehended by the Police Regional Office-1 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Recovered from the suspect was around 100 grams of suspected shabu packed in two knot-tied plastic sachets and other non-drug evidence.
Police said the contraband was properly marked and inventoried on site in the presence of the suspect and mandatory witnesses, in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Police Brig. Gen. Dindo R. Reyes, PRO-1 chief, lauded operating teams for the successful operation but expressed concern over the involvement of a young student in illegal drug activities.
“Seeing an 18-year-old student in custody instead of inside a classroom is a tragedy we must work to prevent,” Reyes said. “This arrest highlights the vulnerability of our youth to the illegal drug trade. We cannot do this alone. The PNP needs the active cooperation of families and schools to shield our children from these destructive influences.”
“Let us build a community where our students are armed with degrees and dreams, not handcuffs,” he added.
The suspect is in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.