03 January 2006
Top Ilocos drug operator caught in La Union bust
A TOP illegal drugs operator not only in Pangasinan but the whole of Ilocos region, including Tarlac, fell Tuesday in a dragnet set by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in adjacent La Union province.
Arrested in an operation conducted by the PDEA provincial office in La Union headed by Senior Inspector Rey Lizardo was Raymundo Vienes, tagged as number one drug personality in Pangasinan and number 10 in the whole region.
He was caught in a buy-bust operation conducted by lawmen with the aid of their asset at 3 p.m. Tuesday in barangay Sta. Rita West, Aringay, La Union.
PDEA Regional Director Chief Inspector Christopher Abrahano said a report from Senior Inspector Lizardo said at least three grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu was seized from the suspect.
The suspect’s car, used in his numerous drug-dealing activities,was also seized, Abrahano said. His contacts in Panasinan as well as in La Union are now under surveillance by the PDEA.
The suspect, whose cohorts are yet to be identified, was sourcing out shabu from the domestic pipeline through his contacts in Manila, Region III and Region IV.
A report received by Abrahano said that Vienes was selling to still unidentified persons up to 50 grams of shabu at one time, proof that he is really a big fish in the illegal drug trade.
Vienes came under police surveillance after known drug personalities who were already previously arrested and whose operations had already been busted linked him to the illegal trade. (PNA)
