BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
A couple allegedly selling illegal drugs while pretending to be tourists was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera (PDEA-CAR) in Burnham Park, Barangay Legarda-Burnham-Kisad.
The operation took place at around noon on April 1, leading to the arrest of a 40-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, both from Cavite. According to PDEA-CAR, the couple had been under surveillance for nearly a month.
Authorities seized a plastic sachet containing approximately 50 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P340,000.
“They are actually partners,” said PDEA-CAR Public Information Officer Rosel Sarmiento.
The suspects are now under the custody of PDEA-CAR and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Another buy-bust operation in Barangay Leonila Hill, Baguio City, resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old man on March 31.
The operation was conducted by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) at around 2 p.m. Authorities confiscated a sachet containing five grams of suspected shabu worth P34,000.
Barangay officials expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing that drug transactions in the area had never been an issue before.
“This is the first time something like this has happened here. Unfortunately, it seems to be increasing, but at least the operation was successful,” said Barangay Captain Robert de Vera.
Police identified the suspect as a “high-value individual,” noting that this was his third arrest for drug-related offenses. He will also face charges for violating RA 9165.
