VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – A suspected local drug gang member was arrested by combined operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) during a buy-bust operation in Ilocos Sur.
PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña identified the suspect as Michael Talania Serna, a resident of Bissang, Baclig, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. Serna is a member of Casin Drug Group operating in Ilocos Sur.
On October 3, 2016 at around 5:30 in the afternoon, joint elements of PDEA Regional Office 1 (PDEA RO1) under Director Jeoffrey Tacio, Cabugao Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) Ilocos Sur, Police Provincial Office (PPO), 73rd MICU and 81st Infantry Battalion 7th Infantry Division, PA, arrested Serna following an entrapment operation in Barangay Pug-os, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
Confiscated during the operation were five plastic sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu with an estimated street value of P1,500. Serna will be charged for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Five hours earlier, the same operating unit, in collaboration with a team from Sta. Maria Police Station arrested Jieson Gaoat y Ramos, 38, a tricycle driver, after he sold one plastic sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer in Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
A case for violation of Section 5 of RA 9165 will be filed in court against Gaoat.
By Bismarck Bengwayan
