Two street-level individuals, including a college student, involved in illegal drugs were apprehended in separate anti-drug operations in Virac and San Andres last week.
First to fall was Ronnie Valenzuela, 22, who yielded five sachets of suspected shabu during a court-ordered search of his residence in barangay Concepcion, Virac last May 25, 2026.
Armed with a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 43, the composite team from the Virac Municipal Police Station (MPS), Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 5 (RPDEU5), and the Catanduanes Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) also seized an unsealed sachet containing the same substance and various drug paraphernalia including a vape box, two plastic sachets, lighter and a black pouch.
Three days later on May 28 at Purok 4, Salvacion St. in Rizal, San Andres, personnel of the local police led by Chief of Police PMaj. Francis T. Tabi I, together with the CatPIU and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) searched the residence of 42-year-old Anthony Tenerife Guerrero, also known as “Pilay,” on the basis of a warrant issued by RTC Judge Irwin L. Peña.
The team confiscated as evidence three (3) pieces of small sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with an estimated aggregate weight of 0.39 gram and street value of P4,500.00, as well as a digital weighing scale, a tooter and aluminum foil.
Both suspects are now in police custody and facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In the wake of the successful anti-drug operations, Catanduanes Police Provincial Director PCol. Virgilio R. Buena reiterated the police’s unwavering commitment to neutralizing illegal drug operations across the province to protect the youth and the community.