In a significant drug bust, agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) discovered and seized marijuana valued at PHP8.7 million inside an abandoned vehicle in La Union province. The operation took place on Monday, January 13, 2025, in Santol town, where PDEA Regional Office 1 (Ilocos) conducted a search warrant operation around 11 a.m.
The haul included 73 kilograms of marijuana, packaged in elongated rolls wrapped in transparent plastic bags and secured with packaging tape. The vehicle involved was a Mitsubishi Delica, which was also confiscated during the operation.
The suspects, identified as Felmen Day-os Aliles Jr., alias Dondon, and Amado Paycao, alias Amado Gante Jr., both residents of Barangay Sasaba in Santol, La Union, had been under surveillance by PDEA operatives for several days. However, they managed to escape before the authorities could apprehend them, despite an interdiction operation set up to catch them.
Director Joel Plaza of PDEA Regional Office 1 stated that the suspects, who are currently at large, will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.