By Daniel Que
URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan – A joint operation by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 1, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pangasinan), and local law enforcement led to the arrest of two high-value drug suspects and the seizure of over 110 grams of suspected shabu, valued at approximately P748,000 in this city on January 7.
The operation took place between 01:05 a.m. and 02:35 a.m. in Zone 7, Barangay Camanang, Urdaneta City, and resulted in the arrest of Camal Tomawis, 37, from Lanao del Sur, and Angela De Guzman, 28, from Barangay Camantiles, Urdaneta City. Both suspects are considered High-Value Individuals in connection with the illegal drug trade.
The buy-bust operation involved undercover agents purchasing drugs from the suspects, leading to their immediate apprehension. Authorities confiscated a substantial amount of suspected shabu, which was found in two knot-tied plastic bags and one heat-sealed sachet.
In addition to the drugs, law enforcement agents recovered several items commonly linked to drug trafficking, including:
- One dusted genuine 500-peso bill (serial number EU717244)
- Boodle money consisting of 500-peso and 1,000-peso bills
- A digital weighing scale
- An Infinix smartphone
- A black sling bag used to conceal the drugs
- A red Yamaha Mio motorcycle (plate number 8863 CP)
All evidence was inventoried and marked on-site in the presence of the suspects and witnesses, following proper legal procedures.
According to the police report, Tomawis had previously been charged under Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) in Criminal Case No. U-16071 at the Regional Trial Court Branch 46 in Urdaneta City.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the full extent of Tomawis and De Guzman’s involvement in the drug network. Both suspects are now in the custody of the Urdaneta City Police Station, awaiting formal charges.